Dutch National Opera & Ballet
Dutch National Opera & Ballet is the largest theatre production house in the Netherlands, employing over 600 staff members who work on creating high-quality performances in the fields of opera, ballet, and related arts. Their mission is to connect people with the rich cultural life of the Netherlands and offer them an emotional, intellectual, and sensory experience that transcends everyday life through song, dance, music, acting, language, technique, and design.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet is a young theatre with a long history. The plans for building a new theatre ran parallel to the plans for a new city hall, dating back to 1915 when the first discussions were held by the Amsterdam city council. Over the years, ideas for the site of the new city hall and opera house were continually changing until the idea of combining both buildings in one complex emerged.
Despite several challenges and setbacks, the architect Wilhelm Holzbauer proposed in 1979 that the city hall and opera house could be combined in one complex. The proposal was positively received by the Council and the government, leading to the establishment of the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, which hosts the resident companies of De Nederlandse Opera and the Dutch National Ballet.
Finally, in 1983, the construction of the new theater building began, and it was completed in 1986. The new theater building was designed by the architect Cees Dam and is located on the Waterlooplein square in Amsterdam. The building is a combination of two theaters, the main theater, the Amsterdam Music Theatre, which is used for opera and large-scale productions, and the smaller theater, the Amsterdam Ballet Theatre, which is used for ballet and smaller-scale productions.
The Dutch National Opera & Ballet has a rich history and a mission to enrich the lives of as many people as possible with the wonder, beauty, and meaning of opera and ballet. They achieve this by bringing together various art forms, such as song, dance, music, acting, language, technique, and design, to create a sensory and emotional experience that transcends everyday life and touches the hearts and minds of people.
With over 600 staff members, Dutch National Opera & Ballet is the largest theater production house in the Netherlands, creating top-quality performances in the fields of opera, ballet, and related musical and dramatic arts. Their staff members share qualities of craftsmanship, creativity, daring, and commitment, all in the service of creating performances that connect, move, and involve people with the rich cultural life of the Netherlands.
The combination of city hall and opera house into one complex resulted in a completely new site being chosen: the Waterlooplein, where the old Jewish quarter was located before it was razed by the Nazis. This location was perfect in terms of both accessibility and the need for a building with international allure.
In 1981, the Dutch parliament passed the act establishing the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. The state owned company would be funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the municipality of Amsterdam. In 1983, construction started on the building, which was designed by the Austrian architect Wilhelm Holzbauer, and it was completed in 1986.
The official opening ceremony was held on September 23, 1986, and was attended by Queen Beatrix. De Nederlandse Opera presented the opera ‘Gioconda’ by Amilcare Ponchielli, and the Dutch National Ballet performed George Balanchine’s ballet ‘Four Temperaments’. From then on, the building on the Waterlooplein has been the permanent home of De Nederlandse Opera and the Dutch National Ballet.
Today, Dutch National Opera & Ballet is the largest theatre production house in the Netherlands, offering an annual program of more than 130 opera and ballet productions, both classical and new, contemporary and traditional. With its own orchestra and choir, costume and set workshops and a range of educational and talent development programs, Dutch National Opera & Ballet is an international beacon of Dutch culture and artistry.
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FAQ's
What if I'm late?
After the start of the performance the doors to the theater hall will close and you will not be allowed inside anymore. Dutch National Opera & Ballet wants to ensure that visitors are not disturbed during the show. Visitors that are late can watch the show on the screens in the foyer and enter the theater hall during the break.
Where is everything found?
The main entrance and the cashier is found at Amstel 1, by the water on Waterlooplein. The wardrobe is found at your left after entering on the ground floor. The prefaces are held in the Odeonzaal. The entrance to this room is found between the wardrobes on the ground floor. Toilets are found between the wardrobes at the ground floor. At the theater level and between the first and second balcony you can find toilets at the right side of the foyer. The store is found at the front of theater level. The Vriendenbalie is found in the middle of theater level, next to the shop. The entrance to the Boekmanzaal is located just across the Cashier's Office.
Placement
The theater is parted into three levels: theater level, first balcony and second balcony. Seats with odd numbers are found at the left side of the room, seats with even numbers are found at the right side of the room.
Screens
In the foyer are multiple screens where you can find information, backgroundinformation and videos concerning the performance.
Wardrobe free and obligated
The use of our wardrobe is obligated for our visitors. Due to everyone's safety, you are not allowed to bring your coat, bag and other bagage into the auditorium. We ask you to hand these over to our wardrobe staff. In special cases you and/or your belongings may be searched.
Which dancers will be performing?
As soon as the cast is known for a ballet performance, it will be published on the performance page on this website. This is generally two weeks before the premiere of the production in question. Please not that the cast is always subject to change.
Preface
Every performance at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet has a preface. The preface starts 45 minutes before the show starts and is to be seen in the Odeonzaal. Attending the prefaces is free for visitors of the performance. A few days before the performance, the preface is available as a podcast. On the online page of the show, you can find the podcast.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
No, you are not allowed to bring your own food and drinks to Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
