With two Booker Prizes and a Nobel Prize in Literature to his name, J.M. Coetzee (1940) belongs to the select circle of writers who need no introduction. Beyond a frequently acclaimed literary career, Coetzee also built a rich academic career at the universities of Cape Town and Adelaide. In recognition of his work, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel conferred upon him the title of doctor honoris causa on 13 October, during a festive evening and lecture at the Muntschouwburg. The programme was enriched musically by pianist Ouri Bronchti and soprano Allison Cook, who performed fragments from operas inspired by Coetzee's work, including music by Belgian composer Nicholas Lens (1958).
On the occasion of his visit, his Dutch publisher Cossee released Wereld en wandel van Elizabeth Costello (2025). For this collection, Coetzee not only selected older stories featuring the prominent literary character Elizabeth Costello, but also added new work to it. During the evening, he also revealed exclusively that he is working on a new opera project, also based on this character.
Christina Scheppelmann responded enthusiastically: "J.M. Coetzee and Nicholas Lens creating an opera together – that makes every opera intendant's heart beat faster. Nicholas Lens composes the music to the libretto by J.M. Coetzee, based on his own book. Creating a new opera is a wonderful challenge, and we look forward to working with these creators on the project. Nicholas Lens was already a guest at De Munt in 2014 with Shell Shock, with a libretto by Nick Cave. Now, in spring 2028, comes the new opera Elizabeth Costello in limbo, directed by Barbora Horáková Joly, with Allison Cook in the title role."
With Coetzee, De Munt, in collaboration with Passa Porta, continues a fine tradition. After Annie Ernaux (1940) and Abdulrazak Gurnah (1948), he is the third Nobel Prize winner in Literature to be welcomed at the theatre.