La Monnaie de Mont has announced an upcoming world premiere opera.

The company said that “during last week’s honorary doctorate ceremony for Nobel Prize-winning author J. M. Coetzee, Christina Scheppelmann revealed that he will write the libretto for ‘Elizabeth Costello in limbo,’ a new opera composed by Nicholas Lens for La Monnaie’s 2027–2028 season.”

In a statement, Scheppelmann said, “This is a very exciting commission. Presenting a new opera is always a beautiful challenge and we look forward to working on this project with the creators. Composer Nicholas Lens already appeared at La Monnaie in 2014 with Shell Shock – based on a libretto by Nick Cave. ‘Elizabeth Costello in limbo’ will be staged by the excellent Barbora Horáková Joly and feature Allison Cook in the title role.”

Lens is a Belgian composer who is known for operas, including “Is this the gate?,” “L.I.T.A.N.I.E.S,” and “Shell Shock.” His work is published by Schott Music and distributed by Universal Music Group and Sony BMG.

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