LA MONNAIE / DE MUNT

A fantasy-thriller about the psychological toll of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. A hypnotic mix of electronic and Middle-Eastern sonorities. The enchanting lyricism of sung Hebrew. The Sleeping Thousand is Israeli composer Adam Maor’s remarkable debut on the international opera scene.

“Each time I finish working on a Wagner opera, my first question is: ‘when can I start again?’” Our Music Director Alain Altinoglu has been entranced by the Meister von Bayreuth for several years. This time, he is getting ready to work on the composer’s final and most enigmatic opera. The musical mystery play Parsifal was the opera debut for Romeo Castellucci. Ten years later he is confronting his own electrifying production.

“After having relentlessly massacred so many heroes and heroines, I have at last the right to laugh a little," Verdi commented on his comical swan song. Chief-conductor Alain Altinoglu explains how the gags in Falstaff are not limited to what is seen on stage. Director Laurent Pelly, meanwhile, mixes bitter and sweet into a well-balanced Verdian cocktail. As if he himself were a bartender in the Osteria della Giarrettiera.

A new decade got under way just a little while ago. That sort of ten-year milestone may seem arbitrary, but it is already clear that we face major changes in the near future. If recent years are anything to go by, we can expect a turbulent period in both politics and society, in the context of an ultra-rapidly changing world. That kind of climate forces us to move with the times. We must not, we cannot, sidestep the burning issues in society today.

The outside world knows her as a renowned harpsichordist, but Donna Anna’s self-assured facade hides a complex personality. This is especially clear in the way she deals with the opposite sex. Her father, the Commendatore, Don Giovanni or her tender husband Don Ottavio: each of the men in this opera provokes feelings that are both extreme and ambiguous. Soprano Simona Šaturová tells us all about her character in Don Giovanni.

He’s the owner of a newspaper stand who seems to know everyone. A gender-fluid street philosopher who breaks societal norms just by being himself. A manipulative intruder who pulls the strings of all the characters in Così fan tutti. In our Trilogia Mozart Da Ponte, Don Alfonso – portrayed by baritone Riccardo Novaro – is all that… and so much more. 

Nothing escapes her eagle eye. She is the puppet master in control of every situation. Mozart depicts Susanna – a female servant – as the most quick-witted character in Le nozze di Figaro. She’s been through enough to comprehend the true intentions of Il Conte di Almaviva. Now all she needs to do is get the Contessa onboard the #metoo-movement.

‘One of the singular artists of her generation’ (The New York Times); ‘a lavishly gifted soprano’ (The New Yorker); ‘This Is Who We’ve Been Waiting For’ (Peter Sellars). For anyone still in doubt: she has the Big Apple lying at her feet. And now Belgium too. A conversation with Julia Bullock, the driving force behind Zauberland.

There are many reasons why Achterland has been a cornerstone of the Rosas-repertoire since its premiere in 1990: its historical value, being the first of their productions to debut in La Monnaie, or the unique musical marriage between Györgi Ligeti and Eugène Ysaÿe. But what stands out the most after close to thirty years, is the groundbreaking choreography. Discover the iconic production in the photo series below, and see for yourself that even still images can resonate with the dancer's energetic virtuosity. 

For the Chorus of La Monnaie, each opera production takes weeks or even months of meticulous preparation. Martino Faggiani has for years been safeguarding its artistic quality. In this video, chorus manager Pieter Hulst lifts the veil on our illustrious and colourful maestro, and explains his unique work ethic that you’ll get to admire at our choral concert Via crucis.

In Zauberland, Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe, cornerstone of the Lied genre, is paired with new compositions by Bernard Foccroulle. We payed our previous intendant a visit to ask him about his inspiration behind this engaged recital production.

Trilogia Mozart Da Ponte is set in Brussels in the year 2020. The French creative arts company Clarac-Deloeuil > le lab is using Mozart to kick the ‘here and now’ into overdrive by making maximum use of video technology. In parallel to rehearsals for the three operas, the company also mobilized a full film crew and, with all the singers from the cast in tow, made its way to twenty-three surprising locations in Brussels. We went along to the set to talk to le lab directors Olivier Deloeuil and Jean-Philippe Clarac.