description La Monnaie/De Munt Overview
La Monnaie/De Munt is Belgium’s national opera house located in Brussels. Established in 1819, it occupies a historically significant site linked to the nation's struggle for independence. The venue hosts performances by Belgian and international opera companies and orchestras. It serves as a cultural landmark and provides a space for artistic expression for audiences and performers alike.
help La Monnaie/De Munt FAQ
Why is La Monnaie also called De Munt?
The Brussels opera house uses both French and Dutch names: La Monnaie and De Munt both mean The Mint. Belgium's federal opera company is based at Place de la Monnaie/Muntplein in central Brussels.
What is the link between La Monnaie and Belgian independence?
The theatre is linked to the Belgian Revolution because unrest followed an 1830 performance of Auber's opera La muette de Portici. That event became part of the story of Belgium's break from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Is the current La Monnaie building the original one?
No. The current theatre is the third on the site, with the 1819 facade by Louis Damesme and a major 1856 rebuilding after fire. The auditorium and foyer largely date from the 19th-century reconstruction.
How big is La Monnaie compared with other European opera houses?
It is relatively intimate for a national opera house, with a capacity a little over 1,100 seats. Its scale is smaller than houses such as the Vienna State Opera, but it has a major European reputation for contemporary staging.
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