Festival O. celebrates 21st edition with mix of avant-garde and accessibility

The internationally renowned O. Festival for Opera. Music. Theatre. descends on Rotterdam again. What once began as Operadagen Rotterdam has grown over two decades into a leading example of opera innovation. Performances will be held from 22 to 31 May all over the city. From classical to contemporary, from intimate works-in-progress to spectacular world premieres, created by young talent and established names from home and abroad. Ticket sales are via this link.

The festival kicks off on 22 May with the much-discussed Dutch premiere of 'REMACHINE' by top director Jefta van Dinther. Together with composer Anna von Hausswolff, he creates a hypnotic world where man and machine collide and merge into a physical and vocal trip. This performance takes a new step in breaking away from the traditional opera setting. O. further presents (Dutch) premieres of 50cent & Beckett by Y.M.P. and Titus Muizelaar, among others.

Theatre Rotterdam is hosting two powerful performances. The internationally phenomenal 'Mystica' by director Kasper Vandenberghe combines circus with the age-old technique 'hairhanging' and musical theatre into an impressive ritual. Also on the programme is the world premiere of 'SEXODUS' by theatre-maker Naomi Velissariou. Directed by Nicole Beutler, a bloody and physical performance about womanhood, beauty ideals and resistance unfolds, featuring the energetic sound design of URLAND.

Metropolis

On 23, 24 and 25 May, Metropolis 2126 will be performed, a city opera on location. Starting from Rotterdam Central Station, the audience moves past five different locations where a different future scenario can be experienced each time. Spectators walk through different spaces and situations, in which performers, musicians and dancers make the future tangible, from a moral conflict to a world that seems hopeful and seductive.

Metropolis 2126 is made in collaboration with over 30 young people from all over Rotterdam: performers, students and professional artists from different disciplines. Together, their voices, bodies and music form a living imagination of the future. The result is a dynamic and stimulating experience in which technology, ethics, power and humanity constantly collide.

Metropolis 2126 is an in-house production of O. Festival for Opera. Music. Theatre. under the artistic direction and direction of Rajiv Bhagwanbali and Lisanne Brouwer as dramaturge. Jonathan Bonny and Liz Laarman are each directing one of the scripts. Collaborating partners include Cult North, Yung World, Codarts, MBO Theaterschool, DoelenEnsemble and Theater Zuidplein. The performance can be visited exclusively during O. 2026. The Metropolis project will later be followed up in Antwerp and Rio de Janeiro, among others.

Growing international recognition

Artistic director Guy Coolen explains, "Besides the springboard function for young talent, we are proud of the growing international recognition. Festivals in cities like New York, Berlin and Vienna are following our approach of combining classical with contemporary. And it is a great compliment that we are named as a favourite festival by critics in the annual lists of the Theatererkrant."

Coolen continues: ''In the more than two decades that O. has been around, the festival has become an international example in the field of opera innovation. This year too, we are taking new steps in breaking through the traditional opera setting. I can't wait to start reaching a very wide and diverse audience again with the unique combination of innovation and accessibility in the programming.''

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