Frequently Asked Questions

DOORS

We open the doors 75 minutes before the start of the performance. This way you can still enjoy a drink and a snack beforehand and catch the free introduction. The hall doors open about 30 minutes before the start.

WHEN DOES THE PERFORMANCE START?

The start time varies regularly. So always check the time stated on your tickets, or on our website.

HOW LONG DOES THE PERFORMANCE LAST?

You can expect that the evening performances of our opera and dance productions usually end around 11 PM. There is usually at least one intermission. For a better estimate of the exact timing, you can visit our website or contact our box offices a few days before the premiere.

WHAT IF I'M LATE?

Once the performance has started, you are not allowed back in the hall. That would be very disruptive to the artists on stage. Latecomers are taken care of by the hall staff and can follow the performance on a monitor. If possible, they will be allowed into the hall at the first suitable interruption, accompanied by hall staff, in seats suitable for them and not necessarily the purchased seats. Tickets for latecomers are never refunded.

FROM WHEN CAN PROGRAMME BOOKS BE PURCHASED?

Programme books are available for purchase from two days before the premiere at the box office and before and during performances in the entrance hall.

MAY I SIT IN A BETTER SEAT IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE FREE?

No, you may not upgrade yourself. Tickets are only valid for the seat stated on them, and hall staff may ask for your ticket at any time. If you find yourself in a more expensive seat, you may be asked to pay the difference.

MAY MY COAT / UMBRELLA / BACKPACK GO INTO THE HALL?

For fire safety and the comfort of our visitors, we ask that you leave coats, umbrellas, backpacks and other belongings in the cloakroom. Our front-of-house staff will keep your belongings safe and ensure that you can collect them quickly after the performance. However, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen cannot be held responsible in cases beyond its control, such as loss or theft.

WHAT IF I LEAVE THE HALL DURING THE PERFORMANCE?

After leaving the hall, you unfortunately cannot re-enter the hall while the performance is still ongoing. We do this to avoid disturbing other visitors. After the next intermission you can re-enter. An usher will accompany you.

CAN I BE FILMED / PHOTOGRAPHED DURING MY VISIT?

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen has the right to record performances (image and/or sound) with the public in the hall. However, this is done very discreetly.

MAY I MAKE VIDEOS OR TAKE PHOTOS MYSELF?

Audio or video recordings are absolutely not allowed. Mobile phones should be switched off during the performance. You can take photos before the performance or during the applause. If you want to share photos of a performance on your social media, you can share images from Opera Ballet Vlaanderen's Instagram or Facebook account. Don't forget to tag us!

CAN I EAT OR DRINK SOMETHING IN THE OPERA HOUSES?

Before and up to one hour after the performance and during intermissions, our bars are open to the public. You can always go there for a drink or a snack. Eating or drinking in our halls is of course NOT allowed.

We also offer cheese boards that you can order in advance. Purchases can be made via a link in the service email you will receive 2 days before the performance or via info@operaballet.be.

Read here more about our bars in Antwerp.

EXTRA TIP: ORDER IN ADVANCE AT THE ENTRANCE HALL (KIOSK)

Avoid the queue during intermission and order and pay for your drink(s) in advance at the entrance hall. You can then pick it up during the intermission at the takeaway bar. In Antwerp that's at Bar Cour.

WHAT IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE BEING SUNG?

All operas are sung in the original language. A Dutch and an English translation can be followed via supertitles. These are displayed above and next to the stage. Unfortunately, the supertitles are not equally visible from all seats in the hall. If you want to be absolutely sure that the supertitles are visible from your seat, please contact the box office.

LOST OR FORGOTTEN SOMETHING AT A PERFORMANCE?

Send an email to info@operaballet.be with a description of your lost item and your contact details so our staff can search for it.

HOW MUCH DOES A TICKET COST?

The price of a ticket varies, depending on the day, the type of performance and your seat in the hall. However, we are convinced that there is a place for every budget in our hall. To better align supply with demand, we use dynamic ticket pricing which means that the price of individual tickets can vary during the season, depending on demand. Also check our page with prices and discounts.

FROM WHEN CAN YOU BUY SINGLE TICKETS?

Single ticket sales usually open from mid-June.

I AM UNEXPECTEDLY UNAVAILABLE, CAN I CANCEL MY ORDER?

We do not refund tickets, except in case of cancellation of the performance.

EXCHANGE TICKETS

Are you unable to attend the performance? Then you can exchange your tickets online for another date of the same production. Exchanging is always subject to availability. If you exchange for a higher category, you pay the difference. If you exchange for a lower category, the price difference will not be refunded. You can exchange up to 2 days before the performance you want to change the date of. You pay 5 euros in exchange fees per ticket.

ARE THERE SPECIAL RATES FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?

Yes, absolutely. You can read more about it here.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR AN OPERA OR DANCE PERFORMANCE?

INTRODUCTIONS

All operas, dance performances, symphonic concerts and some Vonk productions are introduced by one of our dramaturgs or an external speaker. Introductions generally start one hour before the performance, unless otherwise stated. Besides the live introductions, we also offer short audio introductions for most productions, which you can listen to whenever and wherever you want. The most up-to-date info on the introduction can be found on this website and in the service email you receive two days before the performance.

After-Performance Activities

For quite a few of our productions we also organise follow-up interviews, about 20 minutes after the end of the performance, during which a dramaturge talks to someone from the production team and the audience. The afterparties are free of charge in the main hall.

PROGRAMME BOOKS AND OPERA LIBRARY

Each production is accompanied by an extensive programme book, with background information usually combined with a selection of rehearsal footage. For Les Pêcheurs de perles and Jenůfa also two new volumes of the Operatheque series. These compact booklets, in cooperation with Universitaire Pers Leuven, give an even deeper insight into the genesis, text and music of the work in question. In each case, the authors are specialists in their field who make their research accessible to a wide audience. Previously, volumes on Szenen aus Goethes Faust (Schumann), Così fan tutte, Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny and Ernani have appeared.

IS THERE BACKGROUND MATERIAL AVAILABLE ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES?

On this website you will find text material, photos, videos and Spotify listening lists which we also share via social media. For each opera, dance or concert we also sell a programme book: a beautifully designed information and/or photo book. In it you will find both a short 'introduction', which will familiarize you with the material, and reflections on the themes on which the production focuses. In addition, four times a year we publish a fascinating - and completely free - magazine. It offers background information, interviews and inspiration. You can find a copy at the box office, in the entrance hall of our houses or you can receive it by post.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO AN OPERA OR DANCE PERFORMANCE.

always welcome new audiences with open arms.

Read more on this page for newcomers.

YOU ONLY PERFORM OPERAS AND DANCE?

Ballet Vlaanderen wants to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. That's why, apart from operas and dance, we also organise concerts, youth performances and numerous broadening and deepening activities for both beginners and connoisseurs. For instance, we let you take a look behind the scenes of dance performances and operas and we regularly make a switch to other disciplines. Take a look at our programme overview or the calendar to see what's on offer.

WILL MY DATA BE USED FOR?

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen values your privacy as a customer and processes your personal data in accordance with the privacy statement, which can be consulted here in full. By buying tickets, using our services (including our websites) or applying for a job via our website you agree to this privacy statement.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO OPERA GHENT?

Opera Ghent is undergoing renovations, but you won’t miss a thing. We’ll continue performing in Ghent, you can hop on the OBV bus, or join us for a stylish finale. One thing is certain: Opera Ghent won’t let you go. Read more here.

I WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR OPERA BALLET VLAANDEREN. HOW DO I GO ABOUT THAT?

Take a look at our pages with vacancies or send us a spontaneous application. Please mention for which position and/or department you are applying. The more specific your application, the greater the chance that your application will be taken into consideration.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE PRESS OFFICER?

send all press-related questions to pers@operaballet.be or log in via the press platform.

SAY IT WITH OBV

Something to celebrate? We'd love to help! Are you coming to celebrate something at OBV or do you want to surprise someone, contact us at info@operaballet.be and together we will see how we can give your visit that little extra: a separate table in the foyer with a cool bottle of champagne, a greeting card on the chair... We are happy to think along with you.

Do you still have a question? Ask us below