On behalf of the National Opera & Ballet, I created the opening production for the Opera Forward Festival. This was a collaboration with Nuno Lobo (composition), Django Walon (stage design) and Sean Hauser (dramaturgy).

The Death of Mefistofeles was a ritualistic procession, both inside and outside the National Opera & Ballet building, with about 100 musicians. We were inspired by Arrigo Boito’s libretto and collaborated with the Riciotti ensemble, the Maat saxophone Quartet, the Choir of De Nationale Opera and the Student Choir Amsterdam.

The Death of Mefistofeles is about the transition to a new age, with old habits and ambitions coming to their expiry date. The pursuit of the unnatural crumbles under the force of a new age, and in this opera, the old is buried to make room for a new sound.

I was inspired by Arrigo Bioto’s opera Mefistofele and Faust’s personal quest for the supernatural reflects how humans in today’s zeitgeist are at odds with their environment. The Death of Mefistofeles is a processional opera in which audience and performers merge into a musical experience. Composer Nuno Lobo wrote a repetitive composition for the Ricciotti Ensemble, the choir of the National Opera and Student Choir Amsterdam. 

I am very proud of The Death of Mefistofeles, a performance commissioned by the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Unfortunately, the performance was cancelled the day before the premiere due to corona measures. Nevertheless, this production came to the attention of the Parool and they published a piece about my collaboration with the National Opera.

It was a challenging but also very satisfying production to make. I am proud of the result and of working with the talented creative team and all the musicians. The Death of Mefistofeles was a unique performance that immersed audience and performers in a musical experience together. Although unfortunately we were not able to make the performance happen, it remains an honour to have created the opening production for the Opera Forward Festival and I look forward to more collaborations with the National Opera & Ballet in the future.