Frequently asked questions

Check out this page for information on the accessibility of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

After the start of the performance the doors to the auditorium will close and you will not be allowed inside anymore. Dutch National Opera & Ballet wants to ensure that visitors are not disturbed during the show. Visitors that are late can watch the show on the screens in the foyer and enter the auditorium during the break. Visitors for the Main Stage that are late can watch the show on the screens in the foyer and enter the auditorium during the break. Visitors to Studio Boekman can wait at the bar to be seated in the auditorium after the break - if there is one.

How to get to the theatre easily can be read here.

Our theatre is wheelchair and mobility scooter-accessible. The Main Stage has an audio induction system to assist hearing-impaired patrons. And at least once a year there is a meet and feel introduction and audio description at a ballet performance. 

Find here more specific answers to this question! 

Yes! Dutch National Opera & Ballet is well-suited to accommodating wheelchair users. There is a lift as well as a wheelchair-friendly WC. Both the Main Stage and Studio Boekman have wheelchair spaces with room for an accompanying visitor. The wheelchair places in the Main Stage are all fitted with a screen for the surtitles. Tickets for wheelchair seating can only be ordered by phone (+31 20 62 55 45 5).

The Main Stage is parted into three levels: theatre level, first balcony and second balcony. Seats with odd numbers are found at the left side of the room, seats with even numbers are found at the right side of the room.

Look here for seating plans for opera and for ballet performances

Performances in Studio Boekman have unreserved seating: you can choose a place on the spot.

• Main Stage: for performances on the Main Stage, the theatre's entrance doors open 2 hours before curtain-up. You can then enter the Foyer Studio Boekman first. The entrance to the Foyer Main Stage opens one hour before curtain-up.
• Studio Boekman: If there is only a performance in Studio Boekman, the main entrance will open one hour before curtain-up. One can then enter the Foyer Studio Boekman.

Please keep in mind that the doors will close once the performance begins. You will thereafter be unable to enter the foyer or watch the performance.

At the entrance your ticket is scanned. In case you have used a discountcode, you must show your discountpass.

You can leave your belongings at our free cloakroom and take a seat in our foyer, have a drink or visit our shop (Foyer Main Stage) until the show starts. The introduction will be in the Souterrain and starts 45 minutes before the start of the show. You will receive some background information about the performance you are about to watch. There will be no introduction prior to the performances at Studio Boekman.

Approximately 15 minutes before the show commences, the doors to the auditorium will open and approximately 10 minutes before the show commences, you are reminded to take your seat by a gong. After the start of the show, the doors will close and you will not be able to enter anymore until the break. Make sure to visit the toilet beforehand! 

During the break it is customary to leave the auditorium and go to the foyer. The breaks usually last approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the performance. Approximately 10 minutes before the end of the break, the gong will sound again and you are expected to take your seat. When leaving the theatre you can pick up your belongings from the cloakroom. You can leave the theatre through the main entrance and doors on the side.

Before every performance, you can order a drink to consume during the break. They will be ready for you when the break commences. For Studio Boekman, it is not possible to reserve food and drinks beforehand. 

After the performance on the Main Stage, you can unwind, relax, and chat at the left bar on the orchestra level, which is closest to the main entrance. The Theatre Café bar will be open for performances at Studio Boekman.

No, it is up to you to decide what you would like to wear when visiting our theatre. Our audience is mixed in age and background. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable. During Galas there usually is a dresscode, which you can find on the online page concerning the gala.  When in doubt, feel free to call us at +3120 6 255 455. 

In the foyer are multiple screens where you can find information, backgroundinformation and videos concerning the performance.

Use of the cloakroom is free of charge for visitors. For security reasons, it is not permitted to take your coat, bag and luggage into the auditorium. We therefore request you to hand in your coat, bag and luggage to the cloakroom. Bags no larger than A4 size (30 cm x 21 cm x 10 cm) are permitted in the foyer and auditorium. Bags larger than A4 size are not permitted and must be handed in at the cloakroom.

In special cases where required for reasons of general security, Dutch National Opera & Ballet can request to look inside any luggage you have brought with you. If deemed necessary, specially trained staff may also request your cooperation in making a body search.

For small children there are seat boosters available at the cloakroom. For other facilities, check this page.

Children are not allowed to climb the stage!

Our store sells many items, among which are posters, CDs and DVDs. Not all productions are available on CD or DVD. Visit our webshop.

As soon as the cast is known for a ballet performance, it will be published on the performance page on this website. The cast is also listed on an insert, available - free of charge - in the foyer. As a rule, cast is known a week before the premiere date, but please note that it is subject to change until the last minute.

We are constantly trying to digitise our information, fitting into our mission of producing as sustainably as possible.

Printed matter
For opera and ballet performances on the Main Stage, programme books with background articles and interesting visual material are still available in the theatre and in the webshop. There are also loose booklets with the libretto for sale. If a libretto is sold out in our webshop, you can usually still order it from De Nieuwe Toneelbibliotheek. For performances in Studio Boekman, there are only programme booklets for the youth performances! 

Online
We also aim to present as much information as possible to visitors online in an accessible way. In the theatre, you will therefore find an information sheet with the credits, cast, background and story. You will also find a QR code to access free online programme information and a free PDF of the programme book (without libretto).

The operas at Dutch National Opera on the Main Stage have both Dutch and English surtitles. You can also buy books with the entire libretto in the original language and in Dutch.

Every performance on the Main Stage at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet has a introduction.

The introduction starts 45 minutes before the show starts and is to be seen in the Souterrain. Attending the introduction is free for visitors of the performance. A few days before the performance, the introduction is available as a podcast. On the online page of the show, you can find the podcast.

There will be no introduction prior to the performances at Studio Boekman!

Information on foods and drinks can be found on this page.

No, you are not allowed to bring your own food and drinks to Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

It is not allowed to smoke at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, nor in a radius of 15 meters around the building.

It is not allowed to take pictures or record videos in the auditorium of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Only during the final applause you may take recordings.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet has a PIN-only policy. It is therefore possible to pay at the bar, in the shop and at the box office by PIN card (both payments with an actual card and contactless payments), but not with cash.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet has a PIN-only policy. It is therefore possible to pay at the bar, in the shop and at the box office by PIN card (both payments with an actual card and contactless payments), but not with cash.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet will give a discount if you own a CJP card, Stadspas Amsterdam or Cultuurkaart. Students pay €20 for a performance when the ticket is bought last minute, meaning at 13:00 on the day of the show. You will be asked to show your discountpass or studentcard at the main entrance.

The visitor terms can be found here.

If you have lost anything, you may inform at the reception of Dutch National Opera & Ballet whether it has been found and delivered there. You can call (+3120 551 8000) or send an e-mail (receptie@operaballet.nl).

For regular performances at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, a minimum age of 6 years applies. These performances are not suitable for children and babies due to their content and length.

For special children’s and family performances, the recommended age is specified.

Information on ticket sales at the cashier and online, subscriptions, ways of payment, discounts, refunds, prefaces and the online shop can be found here.

You can find this information here.

You might be able to come to the performance still! Starting an hour before the show you can get a serial number. All tickets that have not been redeemed half an hour before the performance starts will be sold.

On this page is explained how you can purchase tickets, for both performances in the theatre and online performances, via the website. 

Everything regarding creating an account can be found on this page.

If you bought your tickets online or by phone, you can access them at any time through your Dutch National Opera & Ballet account. You can find your tickets under ‘My agenda’. More information about an account can be found on the page your account.

Everything regarding discounts can be found here.

We accept multiple methods of payment, among which are giftcards. Read more.

If you are able to show your e-ticket digitally, you will not need to print it.

You cannot return your tickets, we do not - unless you live in a different country - do refunds. If you live in a different country, you can request a refund up to one day before the performance.

You can swap your ticket by calling to the cashier. You can do this up until a day before the performance. This will cost you €3 and the possible difference in price. Call to 020 6 255 455.

You can also try to swap your tickets through the Ticket Exchange service.

As a student, you can buy tickets from 13:00 on the day of the performance for €20. More info here.

Quite a few! Family introductions, Children's studio, Children's choir festival, ... Look for information and even more activities on the page: children & families. Or subscribe to our family newsletter.

There sure are! You can look both on stage and behind the scenes. Here you will find more information about the various tours.

Yes, and there are only more to come!. Click here for the possibilities.

The theatre offers various possibilities for events, groups and arrangements. More information can be found here.

Too many to mention. You can find more information about our activities for students here. 

We really appreciate your Friendship! If you would like more information about registration or about activities for Friends, please visit this page. 

The Dutch National Opera & Ballet sends out a newsletter on a regular basis. You can also stay informed through social media.

You can find all answers to your questions about online performances here. 

All answers to your questions about streaming an online performance via or casting to your television, you will find on our web page with technical tips. 

No, since April 2022, Jump no longer works with memberships. For each activity, you can buy a ticket for your child. This makes Jump accessible to even more children!

Call (020-6255455) or e-mail (klantenservice@operaballet.nl)the Dutch National Opera & Ballet customer service. Check customer service opening hours.

On the email address you specify for your child.

Please email jump@operaballet.nl to provide email address. We will process your request.