Vlaamse Opera
Encyclopedia
The Vlaamse Opera is an opera company in Belgium
directed by Aviel Cahn which operates in two different opera houses in two Flemish cities, the Vlaamse Opera Antwerpen at Van Ertbornstraat 8 and the Vlaamse Opera Ghent
at Schouwburgstraat 3. However, the company shares one orchestra, choir, technical team, etc.
The organization is mainly financed by the Flemish government
and the city councils of Antwerp and Ghent.
In its current form, it was created in 1996 as a successor to "Vlaamse Opera Stichting" (Flemish Opera Foundation, which had existed since 1988), and "Opera voor Vlaanderen" (Opera for Flanders, which had existed since 1981). Both former institutions were similar fusions between the former opera houses of Antwerp and Ghent. Since the fusion in 1981 the company has been giving performances in two different historical theatres:
The first public opera performances in Antwerp date back to 1661. Performances took place on the stage of the Schouwburgh van de Oude Voetboog (theatre of the guild of crossbowmen) at the Grote Markt
. The theatre gradually lost its popular Flemish character as French artists were engaged and the performances were no longer performed in the local (Dutch
) language, but in French, the adopted language of the Flemish elite.
In 1709 a new theatre was installed in the "Tapissierspand", a former covered market for tapestry
where alternately Italian and French operas were performed. The new auditorium burnt down in 1746 and was replaced by a new "Grand Théâtre" which opened in 1753. During the period of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
, the theatre was promoted to "Théâtre Royal". At that time the old theatre was already in decay and it became too small to house the growing public. Plans were made to tear down the old building and to replace it by a new and more prestigious building. In 1829 the last performance was given in the "Tappisierspand".
The new theatre opened after the Belgian revolution
in 1834. (This building is presently known as the Bourlaschouwburg and is used today for regular theatre performances.) The French repertoire (and, to a lesser extent, the Italian repertoire in French translation) continued to dominate.
The opera house closed in 2005 for a 2-year renovation of the entire building. In November 2007, exactly 100 years after the grand opening in 1907, the opera opened again for a new season. New office buildings where constructed, the main auditorium was updated with new seating, a new heating system, and the walls were painted in a new fresh green colour. Behind the scenes all the offices are combined together in the new 'Office territory' behind and next to the stage. Major improvements are the leveling of the stage floor (which had a rake of 4° due to 19th century practice), a big new side stage, updated lighting and mechanical structures.
Because of budget limitations (the first budget estimate for the entire renovation was 33 million euro but, after certain non critical phases were removed from the masterplan, the total budget was 24 million euros), only the most urgent tasks were executed. Therefore, not all the ornaments where cleaned and the public hallways are painted white. It is expected that when new funds are available, the golden ornaments and hallways will be updated.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
directed by Aviel Cahn which operates in two different opera houses in two Flemish cities, the Vlaamse Opera Antwerpen at Van Ertbornstraat 8 and the Vlaamse Opera Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
at Schouwburgstraat 3. However, the company shares one orchestra, choir, technical team, etc.
The organization is mainly financed by the Flemish government
Flemish government
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
and the city councils of Antwerp and Ghent.
In its current form, it was created in 1996 as a successor to "Vlaamse Opera Stichting" (Flemish Opera Foundation, which had existed since 1988), and "Opera voor Vlaanderen" (Opera for Flanders, which had existed since 1981). Both former institutions were similar fusions between the former opera houses of Antwerp and Ghent. Since the fusion in 1981 the company has been giving performances in two different historical theatres:
Antwerp
Grote Markt
Grote Markt is a common name of a centrally located square in the centre of cities in Flanders and the Netherlands.* Markt...
. The theatre gradually lost its popular Flemish character as French artists were engaged and the performances were no longer performed in the local (Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
) language, but in French, the adopted language of the Flemish elite.
In 1709 a new theatre was installed in the "Tapissierspand", a former covered market for tapestry
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
where alternately Italian and French operas were performed. The new auditorium burnt down in 1746 and was replaced by a new "Grand Théâtre" which opened in 1753. During the period of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
United Kingdom of the Netherlands
United Kingdom of the Netherlands is the unofficial name used to refer to Kingdom of the Netherlands during the period after it was first created from part of the First French Empire and before the new kingdom of Belgium split out in 1830...
, the theatre was promoted to "Théâtre Royal". At that time the old theatre was already in decay and it became too small to house the growing public. Plans were made to tear down the old building and to replace it by a new and more prestigious building. In 1829 the last performance was given in the "Tappisierspand".
The new theatre opened after the Belgian revolution
Belgian Revolution
The Belgian Revolution was the conflict which led to the secession of the Southern provinces from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and established an independent Kingdom of Belgium....
in 1834. (This building is presently known as the Bourlaschouwburg and is used today for regular theatre performances.) The French repertoire (and, to a lesser extent, the Italian repertoire in French translation) continued to dominate.
The opera house closed in 2005 for a 2-year renovation of the entire building. In November 2007, exactly 100 years after the grand opening in 1907, the opera opened again for a new season. New office buildings where constructed, the main auditorium was updated with new seating, a new heating system, and the walls were painted in a new fresh green colour. Behind the scenes all the offices are combined together in the new 'Office territory' behind and next to the stage. Major improvements are the leveling of the stage floor (which had a rake of 4° due to 19th century practice), a big new side stage, updated lighting and mechanical structures.
Because of budget limitations (the first budget estimate for the entire renovation was 33 million euro but, after certain non critical phases were removed from the masterplan, the total budget was 24 million euros), only the most urgent tasks were executed. Therefore, not all the ornaments where cleaned and the public hallways are painted white. It is expected that when new funds are available, the golden ornaments and hallways will be updated.
Direction
- Directors
- 1947-55 : Vina BovyVina BovyVina Bovy born Ghent 22 May 1900, died in the same city 16 May 1983 was a Belgian operatic soprano.She studied in the Conservatoire in Ghent under Willemot, and first appeared on stage aged 17 as Argentine in Les deux billets . Her debut at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie was on October 4, 1920 as...
- 1981 : Alfons Van Impe
- 1987 : Gerard MortierGérard MortierGerard Alfons August, Baron Mortier is a Belgian opera director and administrator of Flemish origin.Mortier has served as general director of La Monnaie and of the Salzburg Festival...
(ad interim) - 1989 : Marc Clémeur (till 30/07/2008)
- 2008 : Aviel Cahn (from 1/8/2008)
- Chief conductors of the Symphonisch orkest van de Vlaamse Opera (Symphonic orchestra of the Flemish Opera):
- 1989 : Rudolf WerthenRudolf WerthenRudolf Werthen is a Belgian violinist, conductor and teacher. He is founder and artistic director of the orchestra I Fiamminghi and was chief conductor of the symphonic orchestra of the Flemish Opera in 1989...
- 1993 : Stefan Soltezs
- 1997 : Marc MinkowskiMarc MinkowskiMarc Minkowski is a French conductor of classical music, especially known for his interpretations of French Baroque works. His mother is American, and his father was Alexandre Minkowski, a Polish-French professor of pediatrics and one of the founders of neonatology...
- 2000 : Massimo Zannetti
- 2002 : Ivan TörzsIvan TörzsIvan Törzs is an American conductor and pianist educated at Princeton University, Mannes College of Music, and the Juilliard School.He worked as a pianist and conductor in Charleston, Spoleto and Santa Fe before moving to Germany in 1985....
- 2011: Dmitri Jurowski (from 1/1/2011)
- Chief conductors of the Koor van de Vlaamse Opera (Choir of the Flemish Opera):
- 1989 : Peter BurianPeter BurianAmbassador Peter Burian is the Slovak Ambassador to the United States of America.Born in Hlohovec, Peter Burian graduated in Oriental Studies at St. Petersburg University in the USSR and entered the service of the Czechoslovak foreign ministry in 1983...
- 1991 : Simon HalseySimon HalseySimon Halsey is an English choral conductor.Born in London, Halsey sang in the choirs of both New College, Oxford and King's College, Cambridge. He studied conducting at the Royal College of Music in London....
- 1994 : Andrew Wise
- 1997 : Peter BurianPeter BurianAmbassador Peter Burian is the Slovak Ambassador to the United States of America.Born in Hlohovec, Peter Burian graduated in Oriental Studies at St. Petersburg University in the USSR and entered the service of the Czechoslovak foreign ministry in 1983...
- 2002 : Kurt Bikkembergs
- 2008: Yannis Pouspourikas