Opera Ballet Vlaanderen may celebrate international recognition once again. The production of Wozzeck (Alban Berg, première 1 June 2025 at Opera Antwerpen) directed by Johan Simons has been nominated for an International Opera Award in the category Best New Production. The prestigious prizes, often called the "Oscars of the opera world," will be awarded on 13 November at the Greek National Opera in Athens.
As if that nomination weren't exciting enough, there's yet another premiere: this impressive production of Wozzeck will soon also travel to Beijing. It will be the first time Berg's expressionist masterwork is performed in China.
A cry of despair
Johan Simons approached Wozzeck from a distinctly human perspective. For him, the title character is not merely an unstable victim, but a man who becomes dangerous out of rage and despair because he is treated unjustly. In his interpretation, Wozzeck becomes a cry, a warning for a society that gives no voice to vulnerable and marginalized people. This approach clearly struck a chord: the June premiere immediately received a shower of stars and rave reviews.
Strong international competition
In the Best New Production category, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen competes against powerhouses such as the Metropolitan Opera New York and Opéra national de Paris. Other nominated productions are:
- Castor et Pollux (Opéra national de Paris / directed by Peter Sellars)
- The Excursions of Mr Brouček (National Theatre Brno & Staatsoper Berlin / directed by Robert Carsen)
- La forza del destino (Greek National Opera / directed by Rodula Gaitanou)
- Innocence (Semperoper Dresden / directed by Lorenzo Fiorini)
- Khovanshchina (Salzburger Osterfestspiele / directed by Simon McBurney)
- Louise (Festival d'Aix-en-Provence / directed by Christof Loy)
- Salome (Metropolitan Opera / directed by Claus Guth)
The complete list of all categories and nominees can be found online.
Tradition of awards
Opera Ballet Vlaanderen is no stranger to the International Opera Awards. In 2014, the company won an award for Parsifal (directed by Tatjana Gürbaca), and in 2019 it even took home the main prize as Opera Company of the Year. The Choir and Symphony Orchestra of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen have also been nominated multiple times.
China: a premiere of major importance
The Wozzeck production brings even more spectacular news because on 18 October forthcoming, the opera will be performed during the Beijing Music Festival. That is a premiere of major importance: it will be the first time Alban Berg's Wozzeck will be heard in the People's Republic.
The performance takes place at the Beijing Poly Theatre, a venue with a much larger stage than the Flemish opera houses. The set – designed by Sammy van den Heuvel – will therefore be specially rebuilt by the Chinese theatre, fully tailored to this location.
The production will be performed in Beijing by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the renowned conductor Charles Dutoit. Although this will not take place with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen's own orchestra, several soloists who shone in Antwerp will also perform the leading roles in China: Robin Adams as Wozzeck, Magdalena Anna Hofmann as Marie, and Samuel Sakker as Tambourmajor.
A special mention goes to Belgian mezzo-soprano Lotte Verstaen, who will perform the role of Margret in Beijing. Two voices from the former young ensemble of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen are also part of the cast: Dutch tenor Hugo Kampschreur (Andres) and South African bass Rueben Mbonambi (Handwerksbursch).
Follow live
We will find out on 13 November whether Wozzeck receives the title of Best New Production. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live via OperaVision, so opera enthusiasts worldwide can enjoy this feast of opera.