During a literary encounter with J. M. Coetzee on the stage of La Monnaie, Christina Scheppelmann announced that the 2003 Nobel Prize winner in Literature is writing a libretto for a new La Monnaie opera, to be premiered in the 2027–2028 season: Elizabeth Costello in limbo.
On October 13th, the VUB awarded J. M. Coetzee an honorary doctorate during a ceremony held at La Monnaie. During the event, General and Artistic Director Christina Scheppelmann had the pleasure to announce that the distinguished author is currently writing the libretto for a new opera, centred on one of his most iconic characters, Elisabeth Costello. This creation, with music by Belgian composer Nicholas Lens, will premiere on the stage of La Monnaie in the 2027-28 season.
According to Christina Scheppelmann, ‘this is a very exciting commission. Presenting a new opera is always a beautiful challenge and we look forward to working on this project with the creators. Nicholas Lens already appeared at La Monnaie in 2014 with Shell Shock – based on a libretto by Nick Cave. Elizabeth Costello in limbo will be staged by the excellent Barbora Horáková Joly.
As part of the worldwide Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the façade of La Monnaie will lit up in pink from 17 to 19 October. Through this symbolic gesture, our house aims to highlight what is still insufficiently known about the disease.
On 21 November, the International Opera Awards will recognise the artists, productions and most innovative projects that marked the international opera scene in 2026. La Monnaie has received two nominations: the first for the opera Medusa and the second for the Green Opera project.
The former General and Artistic Director of La Monnaie will succeed Markus Hinterhäuser and take up his new position in Salzburg on 1 October, following the 2027 Festival edition.
