Ever since the first Opera Forward Festival, the vibrant, experimental student projects have been an integral part of the programme. Students take a fresh, open-minded look at opera in various Labs that offer scope for distinctive new creations. As always, there will be short operas made specially for OFF by performing arts students from institutions such as Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of the Arts, and from the International Dramaturgy Master’s programme of the University of Amsterdam. In addition, each year there are collaborations with education programmes across the Netherlands. In previous editions, for instance, students on the ‘Re:master Opera’ course at the Sandberg Instituut developed visual performances and young artists from the Royal Academy of Art created socially engaged musical-visual installations. OFF 2025 will again be showcasing numerous exciting creations throughout the theatre for everyone who is curious to see tomorrow’s makers and operas. The Opera Forward Festival is accompanied by a stimulating theatre-wide context programme that shows a fresh approach being taken to all aspects of opera as an art form. A key aim is nurturing a dialogue between opera and other art forms, to make new connections and highlight contrasts. The festival programme extends to all corners of the theatre. There will be in-depth discussions with leading performers and thinkers. In addition, artists, musicians, dancers and other creatives will put on various concerts and performances. Most events in this inspiring, stimulating programme are free and accessible to all, from fanatical opera lovers to passers-by. OFF Context programme In-depth discussions and thought-provoking performances OFF Labs Exciting creations by tomorrow’s makers OFF 2023 | Photos: Olivia Witmond / Isabell Janssen 55
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