Family production Revival Sung in Dutch Libretto Maarten van Hinte Musical direction Lochlan Brown Stage director Kenza Koutchoukali Set and costumes Dieuweke van Reij Choreography Shailesh Bahoran Sound design Nina Kraszewska Dramaturgy Maarten van Hinte, Wout van Tongeren and Naomi Teekens Anansi Thando Mjandana Makuba Katia Ledoux Tigri Frederik Bergman Snake the Serpent Martin Mkhize Sista Leopard Carla Nahadi Babelegoto Princess Vixen Claron McFadden Junior Company – Dutch National Ballet Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Co-commission and co-production with Dutch National Ballet Performance for schools We offer an exclusive school matinee for primary school students. See: operaballet.nl/en/ school-performances A diverse mix of singers and dancers gather on stage to tell a story inspired by the AfroCaribbean tradition of the tales of the spider Anansi. “A stunning total work of art”, wrote Dutch newspaper Trouw after the premiere in 2021. “Engrossing, highly imaginative music theatre” was the verdict in NRC. High time for this family production to return to our stage. Anansi is a survivor. A particularly cunning one. He can turn any situation to his advantage – even if he sometimes becomes entangled in his own web of lies. When Anansi discovers the powerful Tigri has locked up all the world’s stories in his palace, the spider feels he has to do something. He must set them free, even though this could be his most dangerous exploit yet. Anansi accompanied the Africans who were taken to the Caribbean in slave ships by European merchants. Invisible to the White colonists, he was kept alive in the tales of the Black community. Collaboration between diverse creatives The South African composer and artist Neo Muyanga wrote the lively music for this dance opera, with musical influences from European, Afro-Caribbean and African traditions. The libretto is by the author and theatre-maker Maarten van Hinte, winner of the 2023 Dutch Stage Writing Award. That same year, Shailesh Bahoran, responsible for the choreography, won the Swan for the most impressive dance production. Opera director Kenza Koutchoukali is the team captain guiding the creative process. Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company shines on stage alongside leading dancers from the urban scene. The role of Anansi is performed by the South African tenor Thando Mjandana, who previously sang with DNO in the opera Blue. The phenomenal soprano Claron McFadden is returning as the secretive Princess Vixen. Audience favourite Katia Ledoux will once again assume the role of Makuba, the woman who always rescues Anansi when he gets into trouble again. Martin Mkhize, another popular performer with Amsterdam audiences, is returning in the role of Snake, while Frederik Bergman will make his role debut as Tigri. How Anansi freed the stories of the world Neo Muyanga / Maarten van Hinte / Kenza Koutchoukali / Shailesh Bahoran Music, dance and theatre for the whole family Premiere 16/5/2025 Subsequent performances: 17, 18*, 22, 25* May 2025 | Curtain-up: 20:00 / *14:00 | Ticket sales start on: 22 August 2024 | Prices: see page 161 | Location: Main Stage, Dutch National Opera & Ballet 61
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