PHOTOS | Behind The Scenes tour of the Antwerp opera house

In early March 2026, Frank invited me to join a behind the scenes tour of the Antwerp opera house. The place now houses Opera Ballet Vlaanderen or Opera Ballet Flanders, which – as the name clearly says – brings opera and ballet, and classical concerts.

The story of opera in Antwerp begins in 1661 with the opening of the Schouwburgh van de Oude Voetboog, located behind a guild house on the Grote Markt. This early theatre was managed by the Aalmoezeniers, a group of wealthy citizens responsible for caring for the poor and sick. It soon became a key meeting place for Antwerp’s aristocracy. Despite renovations and the addition of extra boxes in 1695, the venue quickly proved too small.

In 1711, performances moved to the Tapissierspand, a former tapestry market and exhibition hall. A devastating fire in 1746 forced a temporary closure, and the theatre only reopened in 1752. Further renovations in 1774 brought the building in line with contemporary models, inspired by the theatre at Versailles.

In 1829, the Tapissiers Theatre was replaced by the Théâtre Royal Français or Royal French Theatre, a neoclassical building designed by city architect Pierre Bruno Bourla. This theatre primarily staged French and Italian opera.

Dissatisfaction with this repertoire led to the creation of a Flemish alternative. In 1893, composers Edward Keurvels and Peter Benoit, together with singer Hendrik Fontaine, founded the Nederlandsch Lyrisch Tooneel or Dutch Lyrical Theatre, based in the Flemish Theatre or Vlaamse Schouwburg near the Kipdorpbrug. This venue, often referred to as the Volksschouwburg or People’s Theatre, was rented by various companies, which led to instability and reinforced the need for a permanent Flemish opera house.

In June 1904, the Antwerp city council approved plans for a new building. City architect Alexis Van Mechelen was commissioned to design it. The new Koninklijke Vlaamse Opera or Royal Flemish Opera opened ceremonially on 17 October 1907, even though construction was not yet fully complete. The inaugural performance was ‘De Herbergprinses‘ (‘The Inn Princess‘), composed and conducted by Jan Blockx.

Between 2004 and 2007, the building underwent a major renovation led by Robbrecht and Daem. This modernisation included upgrades to stage machinery, workshops, dressing rooms and technical infrastructure. A new extension along Van Ertbornstraat added a side stage, rehearsal spaces, offices and administrative facilities.

Architectural layout and design: entrance hall

At the time of its opening in 1907, the opera house introduced a remarkably modern and democratic concept: all visitors entered through the same doors. Inside, however, social distinctions quickly became visible.

Wealthier patrons proceeded straight ahead to the grand staircases leading to the stalls and first balcony, while those with cheaper tickets accessed higher balconies via separate stairways. Traces of this original layout can still be seen today.

Auditorium

The horseshoe-shaped auditorium accommodates 1,006 seats across the stalls, balconies, boxes and amphitheatre. The richly decorated ceiling features a circular painting by Charles Mertens.

The composition represents Rhythm, accompanied by the nine Muses, the five senses governed by conscience, and allegories of both virtuous and destructive passions.

Stage

The stage measures 14.35 metres in depth and 16.40 metres in width, with a stage opening of 11.90 metres. The stage tower rises to a height of 24 metres. During the 2007 renovation, the stage was significantly modernised: the rigging system was automated, the original sloping stage floor was levelled, and a new side stage with a loading lift was added.

Foyer

The oval foyer features two ceiling paintings by Emile Vloors, also inspired by the theme of Rhythm. Along the walls are bronze memorial plaques with portrait busts of key figures in the history of the opera, including conductor Edward Keurvels, singer Henry Fontaine, director Renaat Verbruggen and soprano Octavie Belloy.

A bust of composer Peter Benoit is also prominently displayed. As a leading advocate for a distinct Flemish musical tradition, Benoit played a crucial role in the creation of a Flemish opera company and ultimately in the construction of this opera house on Frankrijklei.

A visit

The tour takes some 90 minutes and shows you entrance hall, the auditorium, the stage, backstage, the costume workshop, the employees’ cafeteria, a former adjacent bar which had many names. We walked under the stage, we saw make-up and hair room

At the time, ‘Nabucco‘ was on the programme, so we saw that staging. As it made use of water, the guide explained how the water gets pumped and drained, and on how all wet props and costumes get dried. Everything is thought of.

We learned the history of Côté Cour (Stage Right) and Côté Jardin (Stage Left) and some idiosyncrasies of costumes.

The tour is insightful and full of facts about opera.

PHOTOS | Behind The Scenes tour of the Antwerp opera house