In the very same year his homeland was dragged into the bloodiest conflict in its history, Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko (21) forced his artistic breakthrough. In this interview, he reflects on the often neglected yet stunningly beautiful music of Ukraine, the risks of a concerto for one hand and the presence of hundreds of his compatriots during his upcoming La Monnaie concert.

One year after the Russian invasion, La Monnaie is bringing lasting attention to the war in Ukraine and to its victims through several initiatives.

"It's about nothing, and yet it's about everything. It's about life and death, it's about love and social hierarchy..." In the run-up to their fourth collaboration at La Monnaie, we sat down with Alain Altinoglu and Laurent Pelly — a conductor with a unique theatrical feeling, a director who knows how to "stage" music.

With his debut in the role of the charming and reluctant anti-hero Yevgeny Onegin, the French baritone sets himself new challenges.

A love story that is not actually a love story, spleen and ennui, grand balls, passionate impulses, a duel in the mist and intoxicating melodies... All the ingredients of a real Tchaikovsky masterpiece. Read the synopsis of Yevgeny Onegin here, along with the opera's musical highlights provided and discussed by conductor Alain Altinoglu. 

In addition to composing some of the most popular works in the whole history of music, Tchaikovsky was an assiduous correspondent. His letters on Yevgeny Onegin reveal a perfectionist artist who was searching for lyrical innovation and marked by his own tumultuous emotional life...

One cellist, six suites, one dancer in each of them, intermittently joined by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker herself. Simultaneously, with a slow and steady pace, the sun is setting. “The absolute antithesis of Tomorrowland” was what the choreographer called her latest: a stubborn celebration of unfashionable faith in an “experience without additives.”

La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra was established 250 years ago. Who better to highlight in celebration of this anniversary than the musicians in the dark? We finish our series of video portraits with Murielle Buis, second violin and one of the warmest personalities in the pit.

La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra was established 250 years ago. Who better to highlight in celebration of this anniversary than the artists in the dark? We invited trumpeter Manu Mellaerts to discuss life as it is in the orchestra, from Brussels to Japan, from Strauss to Wagner.

La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra was established 250 years ago. Who better to highlight in celebration of this anniversary than the artists in the dark? We invited clarinetist Ricardo Matarredona to discuss life as it is in the orchestra, his favourite solo (spoiler: it's Wagner) and the moment that always gives him ghostbumps in the pit.

La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra was established 250 years ago. Who better to highlight in celebration of this anniversary than the artists in the dark? We invited Konzertmeister Saténik Khourdoïan to discuss life as it is in the orchestra, her double role in the pit and her instantaneous obsession with Ein Heldenleben by Richard Strauss.

The La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra was established 250 years ago. Who better to highlight in celebration of this anniversary than the artists in the orchestra pit? We invited cellist Sébastien Walnier to discuss life as it is in the orchestra, his love for Puccini and why the cello stole his heart.