10 years of Opera Forward Festival
Opera Forward Festival (OFF) turns ten, and we’ll be celebrating this milestone from 6 to 15 March 2026. Since 2016, OFF has been a platform for today’s opera creators, opening up new perspectives on opera and on ourselves. Opera must move forward and into the world. That mission lies at the heart of the festival and remains central in this tenth edition.
Alongside three brand-new productions at our own theatre, this year we’re taking the festival into the city as well, with performances at Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ and Frascati. A key element of OFF since the very beginning is the prominent role of students, who present their bold creations in various Labs. In addition to the performances, there are concerts, performances and talks that cast opera in a new light. To mark the tenth anniversary, a special festival conference by Opera Europa, the professional network of European opera houses and festivals, will also take place.
Keep an eye on this page for more information and updates about the full programme for Opera Forward Festival 2026.
Opera Forward Festival is made possible by
