Opera Forward Festival 2023
Urgent, compelling and extravagant: the Opera Forward Festival (OFF) is a defiant exploration of uncharted territory. With ground-breaking music theatre productions, in-depth programmes and new collaborations, we delve into sounds we don’t hear enough of yet in opera. Experience progressive and critical voices talking about the future of this art form. With four components – OPERAS, LABS, SOUNDS and TALKS – OFF celebrates opera in its essence: different arts fused together to create music theatre. OFF festival is a celebration – because opera is, too.
Immerse yourself in musical performances and presentations by both established names and a new generation of creators. From 3 to 12 March.
OPERAS
Central to OFF are three large-scale, daring performances that take us out of our comfort zone and in search of something new.
All OPERAS are available to anyone under 36 for just € 20, regardless of ticket categories. Category 6 seating is available from € 15!
ANIMAL FARM
Music Alexander Raskatov
Stage direction Damiano Michieletto
A musical adaptation of a satirical fable. Animal Farm is a revolutionary opera based on George Orwell’s timeless novel about a revolution gone wrong. The dystopian setting and turmoil of shifting worldviews are translated into a new, extreme, tempestuous composition.
PERLE NOIRE: MEDITATIONS FOR JOSÉPHINE
Music Tyshawn Sorey
Stage direction Peter Sellars
An unprecedentedly popular artist, civil rights activist and 20th century resistance hero. Perle Noire delves into the life and tribulations of the icon Joséphine Baker from a modern perspective. The jazz-imbued compositions and improvisations offer a meditative reflection on her life.
ÄNDERE DIE WELT!
Music Pedro Beriso
Stage direction Mart van Berckel
Does change mean progress if history keeps repeating itself? We shout “Ändere die Welt!” (“Change the world!”), but how do we make that happen? Singers from the Dutch National Opera Studio and spoken-word artist Amara van der Elst lead the audience through this unique performance that weaves together existing, familiar music to create a powerful innovative collage.
LABS
OFF challenges the makers of tomorrow to make opera their own. Students from various art schools take inspiration from the opera genre as well as from the ideas and skills of their peers. Experience their research and findings in different shapes and sizes during the festival: the LABS.
SOUNDS
What would the opera of the future look like if we were to break with convention, let go of unwritten rules and forget about our judgement and biases for a while? Contemporary art forms and popular culture must – and will – meld together into the opera of today. By taking a look at the as yet unknown, we focus on the possibilities of tomorrow. As far as OFF is concerned, it’s time to enter a new dimension – because that’s where we’ll find the opera of the future.
TALKS
Opera is a genre that can move as well as inspire movement. OFF breaks with the rules, traditions and mores of opera. We talk about the strength but also the painful blind spots, the power and responsibility of both the genre and the institute.
Aftermovie Opera Forward Festival
Programme OFF
Check out the timetable for the Opera Forward Festival 2023 by day, location, and time below. More information about the productions and programmes can be found by clicking on the blocks.
Opera Forward Festival is made possible by
