In October, our production of Shell Shock was released on CD.
Whether you call it shell shock or post-traumatic stress disorder, war creates serious psychological rounds. A hundred years after the outbreak of the Great War, the Belgian composer Nicholas Lens has written a dance-oratorio on this theme, using lyrics by the well-known Australian rock singer Nick Cave. In twelve poems or canto he evokes the anonymous protagonists of the war in a highly personal and fluent style: soldiers, mothers, orphans, prisoners, etc.
The world premiere of this production – and incidentally the very first opera staging by choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui – took place on 14 October 2014 at La Monnaie in commemoration of World War I.
In October 2016, an audiorecording was released on CD by the label Universal Music Company.
>> The CD is available for purchase at Standaard Boekhandel, Proxis.com and on Apple iTunes.
>> Listen to a fragment on YouTube.
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.
