FEDORA - 3 Inspiring Days at the Opera Europa Spring Conference

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14 March 2026

Amsterdam

Industry News

From 12–14 March 2026, we had the honour of taking part in Opera Europa’s Spring Conference at Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam, held in parallel with the Opera Forward Festival. Our Director Edilia Gänz and Innovation & Partnerships Manager Diandra de Lima represented us at this vibrant gathering that brought together more than 320 professionals from across the opera sector for three days of artistic dialogue, reflection, and innovation.

The conference opened with welcoming words by Sophie de Lint, Director of Dutch National Opera, setting the tone for an inspiring programme dedicated to the future of opera. This was followed by a thought-provoking keynote from composer Vasco Mendonça, who explored how new operatic forms can respond to our rapidly evolving world.

A major highlight was the round-table on the future of operatic creation, featuring artists and leaders shaping tomorrow’s opera landscape, including an energising intervention from Ted Huffman, General Director of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and director of the FEDORA–GENERALI Prize for Opera 2019 Winner Denis & Katya.

One of the most memorable moments came from internationally acclaimed director Barrie Kosky, whose electrifying address reminded us that opera’s power lies in its ability to overwhelm: to create a space where emotion, sensuality, and poetry go beyond what words alone can express.

Participants were also invited to the world premiere of Theory of Flames, the groundbreaking new film opera by Michel van der Aa. Blending live singers, virtual performers, and AI-generated elements, the work examines how conspiracy theories and disinformation distort our relationships and perception of truth. Its hybrid form, merging cinema, live performance, and digital environments, powerfully demonstrated where innovation is taking opera next.

Across the three days, we had the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across Europe, exchange perspectives on creation and digital innovation, and reflect on how opera can remain a bold, relevant, and emotionally resonant art form.

We left Amsterdam inspired, grateful for the conversations shared, and proud to witness first-hand the creative energy shaping the future of opera.