Your visit to La Monnaie

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Our opera house is located in the historic heart of Brussels and is very well served by public transport. We are within walking distance of the Central Station and close to major interchanges of the city’s metro, tram, and bus lines. There are also three car parks in the immediate vicinity.  More information

WHAT IF I ARRIVE LATE?

Always come on time. There is nothing excessive about arriving half an hour before the time shown on your ticket, as looking for your seat when you are stressed-out and under pressure can seriously worsen the whole experience. But if you do come late, you can follow the performance on a screen – until the next interval. The same goes for when you leave the Main Auditorium during the performance: you will not be allowed to take your seat again until after the next interval.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY COAT?

In order to comply with the federal government's recommended measures for public buildings, the temperature in La Monnaie's Main Auditorium will be limited to 19°. Use of the cloakroom is therefore no longer mandatory. However, large items such as umbrellas, bags and suitcases will still not be allowed in the auditorium. 

WILL I UNDERSTAND IT?

Our operas are sung in their original languages, but we always provide surtitles. So a translation of the words being sung is projected above the stage, in both French and Dutch. Thanks to the surtitles, if you have some knowledge of at least one of those languages, you should be able to follow what’s going on. If not, a quick look at an online plot summary beforehand will make it easy to follow the story.

DO I NEED TO PREPARE BEFOREHAND?

That’s entirely up to you. For some people, reading the story beforehand lessens their enjoyment of the plot’s twists and turns. Others find that it makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. And some people like to listen to the opera or read the libretto before going to see a live performance.

HOW CAN I PREPARE?

There are various ways. Before each show, we offer preperformance introductions in French and Dutch. There are always short summaries on our website, where our digital magazine also offers you general introductions, interviews with the artists and many other videos and articles. 

Keen to find out everything you can about the performance? Our programme booklets (in French and Dutch) always contain an extensive analysis and background material, as well as biographies of the artists involved in the production.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

There is no dress code, so wear the clothes you want to wear. You could, of course, make the evening that bit more festive by digging out a special outfit. But there is absolutely no obligation to do so: if you’re happy in a sweater, jeans, and sneakers, that’s fine by us.

HOW LONG DOES AN OPERA LAST?

There are very short operas and others that are really, really long. On average, an opera lasts about 2.5 hours, including a 25-minute interval. Not much longer than a typical Hollywood blockbuster, in other words.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Our prices vary, for different categories of seats. For its opera performances, La Monnaie applies a system of variable pricing: the ticket prices rise according to supply and demand, starting from € 12 (the price of a cinema ticket) to € 162 (not that different from the price of the best seats for a major rock concert). We also offer substantial discounts for various audience groups. In opera, the singers, orchestra, and choir perform live, without amplification, and often after months of preparation. And don’t forget that everything you see on the stage – sets, costumes, and props – has been made in our Workshops.

WHEN CAN I BUY TICKETS?

Tickets for opera performances go on sale six weeks before the first performance. It is worth taking the trouble to make a note of the date in your diary, as tickets often sell out quickly. The exact dates when tickets go on sale can be found here.

CAN I GET SOMETHING TO EAT OR DRINK?

• Pre-performance drinks and snacks (incl.vegetarien options) will be available at the MM Bar (on the right in the entrance hall) or in the lobby in front of the Grand Foyer.
• During the intervals, we provide about 10 different bars all over the theatre, including two champagne bars in the Bonbonnière and the Grand Foyer.
• The MM Bar stays open until one hour after the performance.
• Wherever possible the food and beverages  are locally sourced.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OR MAKE VIDEOS?

Unlike other concerts, where everyone can hold up a smartphone, taking photographs or making videos is not allowed during our performances. You must also turn off your mobile devices once the curtain rises. If you would like to share a souvenir of your night at the opera on social media, you are welcome to take a picture before or after the performance.

EH… WHEN SHOULD I APPLAUD?

The general rule is that applause comes at the end of each act. But sometimes people react enthusiastically after a particularly beautifully sung aria. 

Finally, don’t forget that you are welcome to ask our auditorium staff if you have questions. They have just one goal: to make sure you have an enjoyable evening!