After months of cultural slumber, La Monnaie is looking forward to the launch of the 2020-21 season. However, in the current situation, we are obliged to take the programming for the start of our cultural year back to the drawing board. Our world creation of The Time of Our Singing has to be postponed until next season, while we have also had to cancel our production of The Sleeping Thousand. At the same time, we are presenting a Corona-proof alternative in our new production Is this the end?
Even though the quarantine restrictions are being gradually phased out, we were still confronted with many question marks for our September productions: questions about the travel possibilities for our international artists, about the sanitary measures for our musicians in the pit, about the delays that our set and costume Workshops have had to suffer through, and about the safety procedures to welcome you in our theater in a responsible manner.
Given these uncertainties, we have decided to postpone our world creation of The Time of Our Singing until the 2021-22 season. A regrettable decision to make, especially given its relevance in light of the current protests by the Black Lives Matter movement, and the continuous fight against racism and discrimination. However, the safety of our audience and our artists is our top priority. Always. Additionally, our second September production, The Sleeping Thousand, has been canceled.
Our cultural ambitions will however not be held back by the Coronavirus. Therefore we immediately present you with a new project: Is this the end?. A pop requiem in three parts by Belgian composer Jean-Luc Fafchamps and director Ingrid von Wantoch Rekowski, of which La Monnaie will program the first part in September. Is this the end? is a unique operatic project that found answers to the restrictions on social distancing which we have to take into account. An opera that will be performed live at La Monnaie, and through video uses the entire theatre as its set, while you can enjoy the production from the safety of your own home on our website.
Furthermore, the recital by French coloratura Sabine Devieilhe will take place as planned on the 16th of September. The opening concert by our Symphony Orchestra will also be maintained, however, the programme will be adapted so that the pieces require a smaller orchestral distribution and our musicians can adhere to the necessary safety regulations.
We hope we can count on your understanding in these exceptional circumstances, and we will do everything we can to keep you informed at all times.
Meet Holland’s next opera star! On Sunday evening, October 20, MM Soloist Leander Carlier won ARIA, a singing competition on the Dutch TV channel NPO1. In addition to a trophy, he also secured a place at the Dutch National Opera Studio (Amsterdam).
Get out the napkins because La Monnaie is participating in The Biggest Spaghetti Fest in the World! On Saturday, November 23, at 12:30 p.m., we are offering 75 vegetarian meals, accompanied by a visit to our Workshops, in support of non-profit organisation Accolage.
Carpooling to La Monnaie with other opera lovers? Besides being more sustainable, it’s nicer and cheaper than going alone! La Monnaie is the first cultural venue in Belgium to join forces with Slinger, a simple tool which allows you to arrange a ride with another spectator from your area in just a few clicks.
