De Munt / La Monnaie in Brussel is door de jury van de OPER! AWARDS uitgeroepen tot het beste operahuis van 2024. Deze prestigieuze erkenning bevestigt de uitzonderlijke kwaliteit en innovatieve aanpak van het Belgische operahuis onder leiding van algemeen en artistiek directeur Peter de Caluwe.
A celebration of creativity and accessibility
The jury, chaired by Ulrich Ruhnke, praised De Munt for its "enormous appeal and welcoming openness" that brings together both artists and audiences for creative top-level productions. The selection, level and aesthetics of the productions were described as groundbreaking, with the jury emphasizing that De Munt succeeds in making opera accessible to younger generations.
Social relevance
Beyond artistic excellence, the broader societal role of De Munt was also praised. The opera house is seen as an institution that sends signals for sustainability and the promotion of a hospitable culture. This holistic approach to the role of a modern opera house in society undoubtedly contributed to the awarding of the prize.
Recognition for Peter de Caluwe
The award comes at a particularly special moment for Peter de Caluwe, who is currently in his final season as director. The jury recognized his nearly two decades of leadership, during which he has led De Munt at a "consistently high level and with undiminished creativity". This is considered an exception in the international opera world.
De Caluwe himself sees the award as a "wonderful celebration of teamwork" within De Munt and a recognition of their ability to deliver "trendsetting top quality", despite a relatively modest budget in an international context.
OPER! AWARDS
The OPER! AWARDS are Germany's only publicly awarded international opera prize. A jury of specialized journalists awards prizes annually in twenty categories, with the assessment period covering the year 2024.
Presentation in Brussels
The official presentation of the prize will take place on 21 February 2025 during a festive awards ceremony at De Munt itself. At this occasion, the winners in the other nineteen categories of the OPER! AWARDS will also be announced.
This recognition confirms De Munt / La Monnaie's position as a leading opera house on the international stage and underscores the importance of innovation, accessibility and social engagement in today's opera world.