Now that it is clear that it will be March before we are allowed to welcome audiences back into the auditorium, La Monnaie has decided to offer the February programme exclusively as streams. So not yet the complete reopening we were hoping for, but at least this way we give the musicians the chance to play together again, the members of the chorus the opportunity to sing together and the public the pleasure of discovering new productions.
Three months. That’s how long La Monnaie has been closed this time around. That’s how long it’s been since music last filled the Main Auditorium. Behind the scenes we are doing everything we can to ensure we are ready the moment we are allowed to throw open our doors again. Over the next few weeks we will re-start rehearsals in the fervent hope that we will be able to present our revised second half of the season to a live audience. We will also stage the February shows, albeit to an empty theatre. And we will record all the productions and make them available to you on our website for streaming.
The whole of February is devoted to Mozart. Several of his lieder are on the recital programme from father and son Prégardien, which will be available free of charge from February 3rd. On February 7th there is the Mozart Akademie concert with conductor Raphaël Pichon and coloratura soprano Sabine Devieilhe, right now two of the most exciting exponents of Mozart. Even the opera Der Schauspieldirektor, conducted by our Music director Alain Altinoglu and presented as part of the TROIKA partnership, will be streamed on February 19th. Alain Altinoglu will round off Mozart Month on February 21st with the concert Mozart Symphony 39, which replaces the original Sea Interludes programme.
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.
