Ändere die Welt!

“I sense a genuine desire among my generation to do better, to make an effort. Our view of the world is broad; we are aware that many things are happening in the world simultaneously, and these movements are sometimes diametrically opposed. The world is so complex and complicated that it can also be discouraging: where do you even begin? So, yes, we want to change the world, but we also recognise the task’s difficulty, if not absurdity. Rather than revolution, we are looking for how change can happen on a small scale with this performance. True change may not begin on the battlefield, but rather in how you work together to create something new. Is the dialogue more effective than revolt? Or are both required?”

- Mart van Berckel | stage direction

The Opera Studio was launched in September 2018. The carefully selected participants gain important experience by participating in the professional environment of Dutch National Opera and are coached in every aspect of their professional development. In this way they gain crucial experience to give wings to their professional career.

The participants of the Opera Studio perform at foyer evenings, take part in workshops from international directors and coaches, sing small roles on the big stage and perform starring roles in the annual Opera Studio production.

“Opera and revolution: at first glance they don't seem to go together very well. But you don't have to delve far into history to discover that music and theatre have played an important role in every major social upheaval. Composers like Beethoven, Schumann, Wagner, Eisler and Weill wrote revolutionary music in turbulent times. This is the music we bring in Ändere die Welt!, a collage of scenes that makes you think about the need for structural change and how to achieve it in today's world. The performance comes about as a co-creation, with input from the various artistic disciplines. Music from the past provides ideas to shape a new future. At the same time, we work with promising young talent from the Dutch National Opera Studio. It's a revolution I'm happy to be a part of!”

- Pedro Beriso | musical director, arranger and pianist

“Combining spoken word with other art forms is always a big 'YES' for me. The difference with opera is huge: spoken word is direct, it has rough edges, it is in colloquial language and I tell it like it is, whereas opera in its classical form is very poetic and abstract. But if you let these art forms blend together strategically or, on the contrary, stand next to each other in all their contrast, it creates a very special dynamic. So we as makers are not afraid to combine extremes or to play with traditions; that is what makes you realise that this production was made by young people. Our version of opera may be different - but it is refreshing. We challenge the audience to a piece of self-reflection, wrapped in the elegance of opera.”

- Amara van der Elst | spoken word artist