Vive Boesmans !
Stéphane Degout & Fleur Strijbos

A leading figure in Belgian and European music, Philippe Boesmans, whose works have been performed all over the world, left a deep and lasting mark on the history of La Monnaie. His music, as serious as it is accessible, stands out through its subtle play on sounds and inventive combinations of timbres, perfectly calibrated for singing.  

Philippe Boesmans would have turned 90 in 2026. To mark the occasion, various Brussels institutions are coming together to honour his memory with a series of concerts and events. A regular on our stage and a memorable performer in Au monde and Pinocchio, baritone Stéphane Degout will pay tribute to his late friend, accompanied by pianist Simon Lepper and soprano Fleur Strijbos. Together, they will present a recital featuring songs by Boesmans based on Shakespeare’s Sonnets, poems by Verlaine set to music by Debussy, Senden and Mernier, as well as excerpts from Schumann’s Dichterliebe, Poulenc's Chansons gaillardes and Foccroulle's Zauberland.