Richard Wagner Congress – Brussels and Bruges, 2-6 November 2023

Français – Deutsch – Nederlands – English

A word from the presidents

Dear friends,

May the year 2023 bring you peace, health, musical joys and the pleasure of coming to Brussels in November for the Congress of the International Wagner Verband, organised by the Cercle belge francophone Richard Wagner and the Wagner Vrienden.

We look forward to seeing the Rheingold at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, the first chapter of the new Brussels Ring, the charm of Bruges with a concert, the artistic wealth of Antwerp, the symposium on the role of Brussels in the dissemination of Richard Wagner’s works and Wagner’s influence on symbolism, and, of course, the Belgian gastronomy. You will find the programme outline below. The final programme as well as the registration and booking process will be available in February.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this not-to-be-missed event from 2 to 6 November, ‘Wagner in Brussels’.

We are delighted to see you soon and wish you a happy holiday season.

With kind regards.

Jean-Paul Mullier, President of the Cercle belge francophone Richard Wagner
Bernard Huyvaert, President of the Wagner Vrienden 

Programme

Thursday November 2, 2023

  • 2.00pm : panoramic tour of Brussels
  • from3.00pm : Welcome at Le Plaza Hotel
  • 7.00pm : Le Plaza Hôtel : Welcome walking dinner
  • 8.00pm : Departure for Brussels by Night Tour (on a bus)

Friday November 3, 2023

  • For the presidents
    • 10am  : Le Plaza Hotel, Salon Versailles
      Meeting of the Richard Wagner presidents held by the Richard Wagner Verband International
  • For the accompanying persons (other than presidents)
    • 9.00 to 12.00am : Discovery visit of Brussels (several options : on foot, by bus)
    • or Discovery of the European neighbourhood and the hemicycle of the European Parliament
    • 12.30 : La Monnaie : concert by Anne-Sophie Sevens, Belgian soprano, winner of a Richard Wagner scholarship
    • 1.30 pm : lunch in a brasserie close to La Monnaie
  • 2.00 – 5.00pm : Free time
  • Pay attention : 2 groups of participants : one will attend the opera performance on Friday and the other will attend the opera performance on Sunday afternoon
  • 6.30pm : Departure for the Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie
    • La Monnaie / De Munt : Richard Wagner : Das Rheingold
      • Musical director : Alain Altinoglu
      • Production : Roméo Castellucci
    • La Monnaie
    • 5, Place de la Monnaie
    • 1000 Brussels
  • 11.00pm : Post-performance reception at La Monnaie with some members of the cast

Saturday November 4, 2023

  • 10.00am – 1.00pm : Symposium held at La Monnaie
  • Theme of the symposium
    “The role of Brussels in the diffusion of Richard Wagner’s work”
    “Wagner’s influence on symbolism in Belgium”
  • 1.00pm : Lunch in nearby restaurant
  • 2.00pm : Visit the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique a choice between
    Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique
    • Magritte Museum
    • Fin de siècle Museum
    • Old Masters Museum
    • Musical instruments Museum
  • 7.00pm : Gala Diner
    • Hotel Le Plaza

Sunday November 5, 2023

  • 2 groups : one group will stay in Brussels to attend the opera performance Das Rheingold at 3.00pm and one group will travel to Bruges
  • The trip to Bruges
    • 9.00am : departure for Bruges
    • Morning : visit Bruges : walking,  by horse-drawn carriage, on a boat
    • 1.00 to 3.00pm : Lunch in a major Bruges brewery
    • 3.00 – 5.00pm : Free shopping time in Bruges
    • 5.00pm : Concert in the Concertgebouw in Bruges (tbd)
  • The Opera
    • Morning : Free time
    • 2.30pm  : La Monnaie / De Munt : Richard Wagner : Das Rheingold
      • Musical director : Alain Altinoglu
      • Production : Roméo Castellucci
        La Monnaie
        5, Place de la Monnaie
        1000 Brussels
        Please note : the number of seats for the Sunday afternoon performance is limited !
  • 8.00pm : Farewell walking dinner in Brussels

Monday November 6, 2023

Photographic credits : Shutterstock et Pierre Stubbe pour La Monnaie

Additional information : info@cerclewagner.be