Benedikt Spierings becomes the new general director of the merged arts institution Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. She succeeds Jan Raes, who steps down on 31 August 2026. With her appointment, Flanders' largest cultural organisation gains a familiar face at the helm.
Spierings trained as a violinist and studied musicology. After her studies, she worked for over ten years as a consultant for both large private sector enterprises and various government institutions. In 2021 she made the move to Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, where she started work as manager of central planning and production. Since 2024 she has held the positions of operational director and deputy general director.
The board of directors of ASOBV vzw made the decision on Thursday 28 May, following an extensive selection procedure in which an international jury of experts acted in an advisory capacity. According to the board, the appointment represents a clear choice for continuity within the recently merged organisation.
Artistic leadership remains unchanged. Jan Vandenhouwe remains artistic director of Opera & Ballet, while Ulrike Niehoff continues in her role as artistic director of Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. A successor is still being sought for the position of operational director.
The coming years present the merged organisation with important challenges. In addition to further developing the cooperation, which was formally realised on 1 March 2026, the agenda also includes preparation of the policy plan 2028–2032 and completion of various infrastructure dossiers.
In an initial response, Benedikt Spierings speaks of "a great honour" to be able to lead the organisation. She emphasises her ambition to work together with staff to build "an inspiring and groundbreaking house for opera, dance and symphonic music", and to further strengthen the institution's position within the Flemish and international arts landscape.
Outgoing general director Jan Raes is also satisfied with the board's choice. He calls Spierings "the right person in the right place" to shape the next phase of the merged organisation.
Confidence is also expressed from the artistic leadership. Jan Vandenhouwe points out that Spierings knows the workings of the house and the specific dynamics of opera, dance and symphonic music inside and out, which according to him provides stability and artistic peace of mind. Ulrike Niehoff describes her in turn as a sharp, committed and connecting colleague with a broad vision of the power of music and performing arts. With the appointment of Spierings, the merged organisation is making a clear choice for continuity in a phase in which further integration and artistic profiling are paramount.