The duo Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana is one of the most famous double bills in the history of opera. Packed with love, infidelity, betrayal, jealousy and murder, these two pinnacles of the Italian opera repertoire have it all. With a world-class star cast.

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

On 10 September we kick off another theatre season with a festive celebration of ballet. Dutch National Ballet's lavish annual Gala brings together dance enthusiasts and notables from in and outside the dance world, making it an event not to be missed!

Pioneering, original and timeless, George Balanchine's (1904-1983) ballets are often compared to Picasso's paintings or Stravinsky's music. In Best of Balanchine, Dutch National Ballet honours the genius and astounding versatility of this master choreographer.

How is a wig made? What happens behind the scenes? Discover this and more during our Open House. 

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Dutch National Opera is presenting Operaflirt XL: Così fan tutte. The general rehearsal of Così fan tutte on 1 October 2019 is reserved exclusively for those aged 35 and under.

Così fan tutte tells the story of four young lovers, set in the tumult of a holiday resort. As the plot unfolds, twists reminiscent of reality soaps arise, with some harsh lessons for the lovers.

To this day, the city of Verona in Italy is still flooded with letters every week addressed to ‘Julia Capulet, Verona’. There could be no greater testament to how deeply Shakespeare’s classic tragedy continues to touch hearts around the world.

What does it mean to live wisely and well in the twenty-first century? And how should we go about doing it?

In 2019 NDT celebrates its sixtieth anniversary with an extraordinary anniversary programme that is unique in the company's existence.

 

Ever imagined the sound of an itch (kriebel) … in your belly? What would happen if that itch crept up your throat and slipped out of your mouth? If it flew through the air and landed – plop! – on the viola, then jumped – pling! – inside the marimba?"

With Dancing Diversity Dutch National Ballet promotes - during Black Achievement Month (BAM) -  diversity and stimulates young talented dancers of colour to strive to become part of the top of the classical ballet world.

The little big box tells the story of children who discover a magical chest in the attic and unlock a marvellous dance adventure.

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Pioneering, original and timeless, George Balanchine's (1904-1983) ballets are often compared to Picasso's paintings or Stravinsky's music. In Best of Balanchine, Dutch National Ballet honours the genius and astounding versatility of this master choreographer.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

The little big box tells the story of children who discover a magical chest in the attic and unlock a marvellous dance adventure.

This year it is 40 years ago that former Dutch National Ballet principal dancers Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar established Dansersfonds’79.

Don’t miss this final chance – ever! – to see Die Walküre, the second and most entrancing part of Wagner’s Ring, in the legendary production by Pierre Audi. A fiery spectacle around gods, demigods and mortals. 

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Don’t miss this final chance – ever! – to see Die Walküre, the second and most entrancing part of Wagner’s Ring, in the legendary production by Pierre Audi. A fiery spectacle around gods, demigods and mortals. 

In its first-ever staging at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, the exuberant fairy tale opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella) promises to be a fun-filled and unforgettable December performance to enchant the whole family (+8). Special children’s ticket prices apply for La Cenerentola!

A heart-warming fairy-tale ballet to lighten the dark days of winter, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a choreography by Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling based on the Christmas classic, and one of the most successful Dutch theatre productions of all time.

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Ever imagined the sound of an itch (kriebel) … in your belly? What would happen if that itch crept up your throat and slipped out of your mouth? If it flew through the air and landed – plop! – on the viola, then jumped – pling! – inside the marimba?"

A heart-warming fairy-tale ballet to lighten the dark days of winter, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a choreography by Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling based on the Christmas classic, and one of the most successful Dutch theatre productions of all time.

What makes Handel’s opera Rodelinda such a popular favourite? In arias suffused with grief, bitter yearning and joy, her story speaks to our imaginations and draws us into her dilemma. What would you do, faced with a choice between loyalty and power?

Nabucco is a biblical drama in both narrative and scale and was the young Verdi’s breakthrough composition. Perhaps best known for the beautiful chorus of the slaves, this is the first time this beloved opera is being mounted at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.  

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Ever imagined the sound of an itch (kriebel) … in your belly? What would happen if that itch crept up your throat and slipped out of your mouth? If it flew through the air and landed – plop! – on the viola, then jumped – pling! – inside the marimba?"

Nabucco is a biblical drama in both narrative and scale and was the young Verdi’s breakthrough composition. Perhaps best known for the beautiful chorus of the slaves, this is the first time this beloved opera is being mounted at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.  

Frida by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa was inspired by the life story of Frida Kahlo. One of the most intriguing artists of the twentieth century, the Mexican-born Kahlo refused to bow to misfortune, zealously fought taboos and championed women's rights, and painted portraits that became famous the world over.

Giselle is both one of the most romantic works in the classical ballet repertoire as well as among the most demanding, calling for the soloists to cultivate a profound dramatic and emotional empathy with the characters.

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Giselle is both one of the most romantic works in the classical ballet repertoire as well as among the most demanding, calling for the soloists to cultivate a profound dramatic and emotional empathy with the characters.

The Junior Company has became a fixture in the Dutch theatre firmament. This season they’ll once more be touring the whole country to showcase a cross-section of the ballet repertoire. Unboxing Ballet 2, with creations of Hans van Manen and other leading choreographers, is sure to delight both die-hard dance fans and first-time audiences.

The inspiration for Willem Jeths’ third opera, Ritratto (‘Portrait’), was Luisa Casati. One life-size portrait of her by Giovanni Boldini was included in the exhibition High Society at the Rijksmuseum (2018) and a whole show in Venice was dedicated to portraits of her.

Het Opera Forward Festival staat volledig in het teken van de toekomst van opera. Jonge talenten, nieuwe werken, een nieuw publiek: dat zijn de elementen die het hart van het festival bepalen.

Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny is a satirical parable by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht about capitalism running rampant. There are no limits on what’s allowed in Mahagonny, as long as you can pay. Weill’s fusion of classical, jazz and popular tunes makes for a roller coaster musical production. 

Das Jagdgewehr is based on the Japanese writer Yashushi Inoue’s ‘eponymous’ debut novel of 1949. The tragic and meticulously told love story about three women is framed around their letters, which tell a tale of romance, secrets and betrayal.

Feeling lonely, Mole decides to write a song that will cheer up the moon. Grasshopper rehearses his orchestra until they know the song by heart. Then, one night, they put on a beautiful concert. So why does the moon look so sad afterwards…? Illustration: © 2012 Mance Post

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

Het Opera Forward Festival staat volledig in het teken van de toekomst van opera. Jonge talenten, nieuwe werken, een nieuw publiek: dat zijn de elementen die het hart van het festival bepalen.

Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny is a satirical parable by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht about capitalism running rampant. There are no limits on what’s allowed in Mahagonny, as long as you can pay. Weill’s fusion of classical, jazz and popular tunes makes for a roller coaster musical production. 

In Four Seasons Dutch National Ballet presents the state of the art in today’s dance landscape, with three new creations by three world-class choreographers. Injecting classical ballet techniques with new influences and impulses, they reveal just how electrifying, edgy and inventive twenty-first century academic ballet can be.

In the world of GRIMM, Cinderella walks in sneakers and other familiar fairy tale characters are all given a funky twist. This is no sugar-coated fable, but a modern-day romp in which ballet and hip-hop dancers propel each other to ever greater heights.

In Die Frau ohne Schatten, Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal sought to articulate reality in symbolic form, much as Mozart and Schikaneder had done in Die Zauberflöte.    

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Musical evening giving an accessible, in-depth explanation of operas and ballets.

Free concert

Almost every Tuesday at 12:30 - from September to May, with the exception of the Christmas period and public holidays - you can enjoy a free lunch concert in the foyer of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

 

In the world of GRIMM, Cinderella walks in sneakers and other familiar fairy tale characters are all given a funky twist. This is no sugar-coated fable, but a modern-day romp in which ballet and hip-hop dancers propel each other to ever greater heights.

In Die Frau ohne Schatten, Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal sought to articulate reality in symbolic form, much as Mozart and Schikaneder had done in Die Zauberflöte.    

Year in, year out, George Bizet's Carmen works its magic around the world. With her unashamed sensuality, the popular opera heroine still has the power to stir our imaginations.

Rounding of our anniversary season and Paul Lightfoot’s tenure as Artistic Director, NDT presents  Schmetterling.

Under Artistic Director Ted Brandsen, Dutch National Ballet has made a commitment to investing in the development of choreographic talent. New Moves is an annual dance event organised since Brandsen's appointment in 2003 to give company members a chance to develop their choreographic potential.

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

In the world of GRIMM, Cinderella walks in sneakers and other familiar fairy tale characters are all given a funky twist. This is no sugar-coated fable, but a modern-day romp in which ballet and hip-hop dancers propel each other to ever greater heights.

Year in, year out, George Bizet's Carmen works its magic around the world. With her unashamed sensuality, the popular opera heroine still has the power to stir our imaginations.

Dvořák’s Rusalka is about a water nymph who dreams of a life on land, rooted in the tradition of the ‘undine’ as well as the opposition between man and nature. While Rusalka sacrifices almost everything to live as a human with her prince, she ultimately returns to the water utterly disillusioned.  

At the 2020 Holland Festival, Dutch National Ballet will present the world premiere of Beethoven. George Balanchine once remarked that ‘Dance should leave Beethoven well alone – there’s no choreographing to his music’. But plenty of choreographers have since proved him false. Making ballet to Beethoven may not be easy, but the results are sensational! In honour of his 250th birthday, Dutch National Ballet presents two masterpieces and one new creation inspired by the grand master’s music.

In the kingdom of Minos, there lives a fearsome creature: half man, half bull. The king keeps it locked deep inside a maze, feeding it the flesh of his enemies. Now, the king has ordered the city of Athens to sacrifice its youth – its future! – in order to feed the monster of Minos. The young hero Theseus believes that he can defeat the monster, but will he be able to keep his courage in the heart of the maze?

Join a guided tour behind the scenes of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

In the kingdom of Minos, there lives a fearsome creature: half man, half bull. The king keeps it locked deep inside a maze, feeding it the flesh of his enemies. Now, the king has ordered the city of Athens to sacrifice its youth – its future! – in order to feed the monster of Minos. The young hero Theseus believes that he can defeat the monster, but will he be able to keep his courage in the heart of the maze?