"Belgium in Allegro: A spellbinding journey through opera and classical music"

A small country with a rich cultural life, Belgium has played an important role in the spread of classical music in Europe.Opera made its debut in Belgium, then under Spanish rule, in the 17th century, at the height of the Baroque period. French taste prevailed at the time, and in 1681 an academy of music was set up and the first opera theatre opened in Brussels in 1700. In Belgium, and more specifically in Brussels, the first known opera performance would be Lully's Atys. Over the centuries, Belgium has seen the emergence of talented composers who have left their mark on the world of classical music. Pierre van Maldere is credited with the very first work composed by a Belgian, but the best-known composer is the brilliant Grétry, born in Liège in 1741. Figures such as César Franck, Eugène Ysaÿe and Guillaume Lekeu contributed to the enrichment of the Belgian classical repertoire. Philippe Boesmans, who died in 2022, was also a major composer. On the historical front, Daniel Auber's opera La Muette de Portici, performed in Brussels in 1830, is considered a symbolic catalyst for the Belgian Revolution that led to the country's independence.

Which are the most prestigious venues in Belgium?

Today, Belgium continues to celebrate its musical tradition with festivals, concerts and opera performances. Events such as the Festival de Wallonie and the Festival de Flandre help to keep the classical music scene alive in Belgium, where there are many great opera houses, including the famous La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels, the Antwerp and Ghent opera houses and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Liège. As for concert halls, the Philharmonic Hall in Liège is a jewel, and the programme at the Palais de Beaux-Arts/Paleis voor Schone Kunsten is quite simply exemplary.

Discover the concert, opera and ballet programmes in Belgium and book your tickets!