Two of the country's most respected cultural institutions, the Nationale Ballet and the Nederlandse Opera, have announced they will join forces next year.
The two organisations have been working together in the Muziektheater in Amsterdam since 1986. Opera director Truze Lodder says the merger was not prompted by government cuts to the culture budget. Both the National Ballet and Netherlands Opera have an excellent international reputation.
The two theatrical companies will keep their separate names and maintain separate budgets for opera and ballet. Ms Lodder spoke of a “small-scale, internal efficiency drive.” Ms Lodder hopes the new organisation will prove more successful in attracting sponsors.
The artistic directors Pierre Audi (opera) and Ted Brandsen (ballet) will remain in their posts.
(gsh/imm)
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