{
    "title": "Opera Wallonie unveils season exploring power, desire and renewal",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-15 19:39:46",
    "published_at": "2026-04-15 19:39:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/opera-wallonie-unveils-season-exploring-power-desire-and-renewal",
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    "culture": "en_BE",
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    "slug": "opera-wallonie-unveils-season-exploring-power-desire-and-renewal",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>The Op&eacute;ra Royal de Wallonie-Li&egrave;ge has unveiled its 2026&ndash;2027 season, built around the theme of power and desire, with a programme that balances major repertoire with lesser-known works and a new contemporary creation.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Opening the season is Macbeth, one of Giuseppe Verdi&rsquo;s darkest operas. The work, centred on political ambition and moral collapse, sets the tone for a season concerned with the forces that drive human behaviour. Its themes of power and corruption resonate strongly with the broader narrative thread running through the programme.</p><div class=\"release-content-embed release-content-embed--rich release-content-embed--contained\" id=\"embed-1307593b-ee5a-456e-ae9f-ee38ea40ecd3\"><div style=\"max-width: 660px;\"><div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 63%; padding-top: 284px;\"><iframe data-iframely-url=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FDXKGIWnDNVi%2F%23_cb1776274192&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><script async src=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script></div><p style=\"text-align: left\">The season then turns to Tha&iuml;s by Jules Massenet, a more introspective piece that explores spiritual desire and redemption. Long associated with the Li&egrave;ge stage, the opera offers a contrast to Verdi&rsquo;s intensity, focusing instead on inner transformation and the tension between sensuality and faith.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">A lighter but no less refined moment comes with Hubi\u010dka, a rarely performed work by Bed\u0159ich Smetana. Known for its simplicity and emotional clarity, the opera provides a more intimate counterpoint within the season, highlighting everyday relationships and understated drama.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The programme closes with Turandot by Giacomo Puccini, presented with a notable twist. The production will feature a newly written ending, specially commissioned for the Li&egrave;ge house, offering a fresh perspective on one of opera&rsquo;s most iconic finales.</p><h4 id=\"a-contemporary-creation-zombie-opera\" style=\"text-align: left\">A contemporary creation: Zombie Opera</h4><p style=\"text-align: left\">Alongside these established works, the season places particular emphasis on new creation with Zombie Opera, a project led by Italian conductor and composer Andrea Battistoni.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Described as an original commission, the work brings an unexpected theme to the operatic stage. Drawing on the imagery of zombies, the production aims to explore contemporary anxieties through a genre rarely associated with opera. The choice reflects a broader ambition to connect with new audiences while expanding the boundaries of the repertoire. Battistoni, who has a longstanding relationship with the company, is expected to bring both musical ambition and theatrical flair to the project.</p><p><sup><br>\u200bOp&eacute;ra Royal de Wallonie-Li&egrave;ge &copy; PHOTO OP&Eacute;RA ROYAL DE WALLONIE-LIEGE</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-b45d08bf-b589-4e14-8780-8e48dc321e4c\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/behind-the-curtains-of-belgiums-opera-world-people-together-can-create-incredible-things\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Fdfe92d31-3a8a-4791-9759-3c5b4519b8ab%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=c4946be2a2a75d114d2a43d3a68641bb)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/behind-the-curtains-of-belgiums-opera-world-people-together-can-create-incredible-things\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"b45d08bf-b589-4e14-8780-8e48dc321e4c\"\n           >\n                Behind the curtains of Belgium&#039;s opera world: &#039;People together can create incredible things&#039;            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Roos Rol moves easily between two demanding roles in the opera world: assistant director and stage manager, though, as she is quick to point out...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Fbehind-the-curtains-of-belgiums-opera-world-people-together-can-create-incredible-things&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<div id=\"bookmark-5c3745df-256c-4ef2-8c17-a85d526b05a3\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/cultural-compass-an-in-depth-look-at-opera-ballet-vlaanderens-new-season-ugmfzp\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F515008f1-6f50-4018-b8de-3f65985eec53%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=ef7f42415da67d7c887a668d66d7b87b)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/cultural-compass-an-in-depth-look-at-opera-ballet-vlaanderens-new-season-ugmfzp\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"5c3745df-256c-4ef2-8c17-a85d526b05a3\"\n           >\n                Cultural Compass: An in-depth look at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen&#039;s new season            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Every Sunday, Belga English picks its favourite events from the cultural agenda. 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