Royal Flemish Opera

The Royal Flemish Opera was the almost 100-year-old independent city opera of Antwerp until its merger in 1981 with the Royal Opera in Ghent. Both city operas were merged into the organization Opera for Flanders, renamed Opera Ballet Flanders in 2014. In 1661, the Antwerp Almoners opened the Schouwburgh of the Oude Voetboog on the Grote Markt. Starting in 1682, Antwerp residents could get acquainted with the opera genre, and in particular with French operas. In 1709, the Almoners moved the theater to the Tapissierspand, the location where the current Bourlaschouwburg stands. Traveling troupes mainly brought French, but also Italian and Dutch repertoire, including both spoken drama and opera. After a fire in 1746, the Tapissierspand was rebuilt as the "Grand Théâtre" in 1753. During the Dutch rule, it was promoted to "Théâtre Royal". The building became too small anyway, and the last performances took place in 1829. In 1834, the new Bourlaschouwburg opened, where mainly the French repertoire is still featured.

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