A leading figure in Belgian and European music, Philippe Boesmans, whose works have been performed all over the world, left a deep and lasting mark on the history of La Monnaie, the national opera of Belgium. His music, as serious as it is accessible, stands out through its subtle play on sounds and inventive combinations of timbres, perfectly calibrated for singing.
Philippe Boesmans would have turned 90 in 2026. To mark the occasion, various Brussels institutions are coming together to honour his memory with a series of concerts and events. In February and March, the Boesmans Wave 26 will see La Monnaie, Flagey, the Brussels Philharmonic, the Brussels Conservatory, the Royal Academy of Belgium, Collège Belgique, the Royal Library, and the Klara Festival join forces to present concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and talks celebrating one of the most prolific Belgian and European composers of the past half century.
A regular on the stage of La Monnaie and a memorable performer in Au monde and Pinocchio, baritone Stéphane Degout will pay tribute to his late friend, accompanied by pianist Simon Lepper and soprano Fleur Strijbos. Together, they will present a recital featuring songs by Boesmans based on Shakespeare’s Sonnets, poems by Verlaine set to music by Debussy, Senden and Mernier, as well as excerpts from Schumann’s Dichterliebe, Poulenc’s Chansons gaillardes and Foccroulle’s Zauberland.
Don’t miss the recital “Vive Boesmans!” at La Monnaie / De Munt on 13 March 2026 at 20h.
If you are interested in other related events, check Boesmans Wave 2026 page and the groundbreaking works he created.
