Nederlands muziektheater NU

working session producers, policymakers and composers

At the initiative of Nieuw Geneco, a successful working session ‘Dutch Music Theatre NOW’ took place on 9 December 2024, a conversation between commissioners, producers, policymakers and composers across the chain. We are grateful for the generous cooperation with De Nationale Opera, which hosted the working session at Studio Boekman.Various players from the entire opera ecosystem participated: singers, teachers, directors, dramaturges, librettists, lyricists, policymakers, funds and, of course, composers.With this working session, New Geneco wants to put the work of living composers on the agenda. What is the importance, value and enjoyment of contemporary opera/musical theatre by Dutch & NL-based composers? Do we as a sector share responsibility for makers in our cities; and for their careers from the youngest talents to the mid-carriers to the respectable eminence grise and their oeuvres? What is the power and potential of work by NL composers/makers today?

What can we learn from the Metropolitan Opera, which is fully committed to contemporary music, bringing 17 new productions by contemporary composers in a single season. They find that new productions and contemporary stories appeal and sell out more, while the classics lag behind; and new audiences are more likely to be stimulated by social engagement than by big names.

Photos Foppe Schut

A lot is happening in NL. Dutch New Music is getting more and more attention. We are working hard to raise the visibility of composers active in the Netherlands with the music network and platform New Music NOW and the Day of the Composer, on and around 21 June 2025.
This working session is the inspiration for mutual acquaintance and invites long arcs of collaboration, more exciting new operas for new audiences and of course: more work for composers living and working in NL, in fair, safe & sustainable working conditions.Big thanks to all participants, the pleasant collaboration with Sophie de Lint and Niels Nuijjten & team of De Nationale Opera and the excellent moderation by Neil Wallace. Thanks to the De Creatieve Coalitie, and big thanks to all participants and everyone’s dedication to new music and NL-based composers.
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