The Dutch National Opera has announced its Opera Forward Festival marking its tenth anniversary. The festival will take place between March 6 and 15, 2026.

Productions

The company will world premiere “Theory of Flames” by Michel van der Aa. The production will star sopranos Mary Bevan and Aphrodite Patoulidou alternating in the role of Neola, mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston as her partner Marianne, baritone Roderick Williams as cameraman Josh, and soprano Julia Bullock as the film footage. Conductor Elena Schwarz, a specialist in contemporary music, returns to Amsterdam for this world premiere.

Performance Dates: March 6-22, 2026

“Requiem for Mariza” will have its staged world premiere. The work by Meriç Artaç will star Nina van Essen, Maayan Licht and Annet de Ruiter conducted by Sora Elisabeth Lee.

Performance Dates: March 13-21, 2026

“The Knife of Dawn” by composer Hannah Kendall and librettist Tessa McWatt will be directed by Gavin-Viano.

Performance Dates: March 14-18, 2026

“Les enfants terribles” by Philip Glass will be directed by Béatrice Lachaussée and conducted by Nicolas Krüger.

Performance Dates: March 14-24, 2026

“Harvest” will star Claron McFadden, Helena Rasker, Andrew Watts, and Marcel Beekman.

Performance Date: March 12, 2026

LABS

“The Carousel” presents five new short operas, created and performed by a new generation of artists with their own voice.

Performance Dates: March 6-7, 2026

“Oh, so many things to feel lost about” will merge film and opera to tell a new, alternative origin story.

Performance Dates: March 6-8, 2026

“Sopranos Only” is a playful one-act opera by composer Tom Johnson.

Performance Dates: March 7-8, 2026

“Moeras!” will showcase audience and performers moving together through a world steeped in myth where you can feel history.

Performance Dates: March 12-14, 2026

“Think Tank” brings together students from different universities to reflect on opera and art.

Performance Date: March 13, 2026