Brussels’ Opera House, or La Monnaie, is one of the most majestic structures in Europe, deeply respected for its glamour and performances by the most renowned artists. So when you’re done seeing the most important landmarks in Brussels, head to La Monnaie before getting on your airport transfers and leaving this city.

History surrounding La Monnaie

1695: Gio Paolo Bombarda, owner of the theatre at the Hooikaai, banker and financial counsellor to Maximilian II Emmanuel of Bavaria and governor of the Spanish Netherlands, decided to build a public theatre for opera, theatre and ballet performances.
1700: This theatre was built by the architects Paolo and Pietro Bezzi on the site of the former ‘Herberge van Oistervant’ mint (La Monnaie is the French word for ‘coins’). It was considered one of the most beautiful theatres outside Italy.
1800: Napoleon decided to build a new theatre.
1819: Inauguration of the new theatre designed by the French architect Louis Damesme.
1830: King William of the Spanish Netherlands lifted the prohibition on the staging of Auber’s opera ‘The Mute of Portici’. This work played an important part in Belgium’s struggle for independence.
1853: The repertoire was restricted to opera and dance.
1855: The interior of the theatre was destroyed by fire, and only the pediment (Eugene Simonis ‘Harmony of Human Passions’), the colonnade and the outside walls were left intact.
1856: Inauguration of the third theatre by architect Joseph Poelaert.
1876: Gédéon Bordiau added an extra floor and installed the building’s first sophisticated air-conditioning system.
1963: La Monnaie became a national institution, having first been run as a private concession and then by the City of Brussels.
1985: The Department of Public Works decided to renovate the building for technical, safety and aesthetic reasons.
1986: Inauguration of the restored building.
1998: To mark the 300th anniversary of La Monnaie, the stage organ was restored and the restored paintings on canvas were reinstalled on the cupola of the auditorium.
2000: Inauguration of the New Monnaie workshops in the ancient Vanderborght buildings and the neo-classical building at no. 23 Leopoldstraat just behind La Monnaie. An exhibition entitled ‘Opera. Tangible Emotion’ was mounted in the renovated buildings.
 

Mesmerizing architecture

The façade of the theatre dates from 1819 and was designed by Louis Damesme in a neo-classical style. In 1854, Eugène Simonis put the finishing touch to the façade in the form of a pediment with a bas-relief representing ‘The Harmony of Human Passions’. A dark-blue enameled, plate steel ‘frieze’ serves to emphasize the top two floors and is a post-modern touch added during the renovation works carried out in 1985-86.

The staircase is embellished with a monument, done in 1910 by the Belgian sculptor Paul Dubois, honoring the manager and musical director Dupont, and with a number of monumental paintings, done between 1907 and 1933 by Emile Fabry. The Liège architect Charles Vandenhove created a new architectural concept for the entrance in 1985-86 and commissioned two American artists to execute his ideas - Sol Lewitt designed a fan-shaped floor in black and white and Sam Francis painted the triptych on the ceiling.

The main auditorium was built by Joseph Poelaert in an eclectic style, combining French and Italian features. It can accommodate 1,152 people and is a magnificent example of European theatre architecture. In 1999 the restored canvas by the Parisian set designers François-Joseph Nolau and Alfred Rubé was reinstalled on the cupola. It represents Belgium as the protector of the arts.

The most radical alterations made by architects URBAT and A.2R.C during the 1985-86 renovation work were done to the stage. The nine-story stage tower was completely dismantled and reconstructed within the existing walls. To facilitate set changes, the old system of pulleys and hand-operated tackle was replaced by a computer-operated iron truss (even though one-third of all operations are still manual). The size of the stage was left unchanged, left at 12.6 m long and 11 m high. The perfect evolution of an opera behind the scenes is the responsibility of a team of 4 directors, 5 stage managers, 26 stage hands, 9 light technicians, 4 sound technicians, 6 dressers and 5 make-up artists and hairdressers. The orchestra pit, which is situated three meters below the stage, can be raised to stage level. The La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra has about 90 permanent musicians.

The royal box is on the same level as the first balcony (or as called ‘côté cour’) and is decorated with red velvet and gilt stucco. It bears the royal emblem and was used regularly by the royal family. Nowadays the box is sometimes used as an extension of the stage. During the intervals between the performances, the royal salon used to be a drawing room reserved exclusively for the royal family and their guests. Today, many sponsors and VIPs use it as a reception room. This little salon (8 m 4.2 m), covered entirely in marble, was redesigned in post-modern style during restoration work in 1985-86: Daniel Buren’s floor and Giulio Paolini’s sculptures enhance Charles Vandenhove’s architecture.

With the exception of the ceiling painting by Thierry Bosquet (done in 1970), the interior decoration of the Grand Foyer dates from 1856. Designed by Poelaert, this room is a good example of the eclectic style. As well as being used for serving refreshments, the foyer is also used for chamber music concerts and as a lecture hall where introductions to the operas are given.

Majestic events and performances

Considered as one of Europe’s most innovative opera houses, La Monnaie always has an exceptional repertoire in stock. Since 2011, La Monnaie has a sustained policy for capturing and streaming all of its productions too, making these recordings available for future exploitation.
La Monnaie's lyric repertoire has travelled around Europe, the USA, Asia, and even Australia and South Africa, and some of its productions are available for sale and rental purposes. And if you are not able to attend on-the-spot, La Monnaie offers the possibility to watch all of its opera productions online. Only days after the last performance, each opera is available for three weeks on its website, in full version and free of charge. Some productions are even available for six months on Operavision or ARTE Concert, for everyone who missed it.

Being a truly exceptional monument and a cultural space, La Monnaie is one of the most appreciated structures throughout Europe, attracting top performers and millions of visitors every year. So if you happen to be visiting Brussels soon, try to catch a performance and get tickets on time, or incorporate it into your agenda to at least visit it. What we recommend afterwards is getting a taxi transport to one of the best places in Brussels for Belgian chocolate and treat yourself with this delight. You won’t regret it!