A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL YOUNG PATRONS GALA
words by NATALIE GAL
What a night it was! This past Saturday, we had the honor of attending the seventh edition of the International Young Patrons Gala at Dutch National Opera & Ballet — an evening that celebrated the timeless power of opera and ballet through the energy of a new generation.
This year’s gala, curated by director Noah van Renswoude, took inspiration from the idea of Renaissance, a revival of the old through a contemporary lens. As van Renswoude explained, “Opera and ballet tell timeless stories, with emotions that still resonate today. By bringing old and new together — through costume, staging or projection — young audiences can see themselves in these classic works, performed by the next generation.”
And what a programme it was! Highlights included Steef de Jong’s take on operetta in Verzinnen vind ik fijn, a chorus from Boris Godunov, and a dynamic performance of The Chairman Dances choreographed by Ted Brandsen. The evening continued with powerful performances from Raehann Bryce-Davis and members of the Dutch National Opera Studio, concluding with a striking contemporary dance piece Sonder by Zoë Greten and the Junior Company.
From the elegance of the outfits to the emotional depth of the performances, the gala reminded us that opera and ballet are far from fading traditions. They remain deeply relevant, they reflect the complexity of human emotion in its rawest form: love, longing, desperation, pain, joy, and passion.
This night was a statement. These art forms are not relics of the past. They’re living, breathing expressions of the human experience. They must be protected, respected, and loved — and that isn’t difficult, considering their beauty. We’re proud to have been a media partner for this unforgettable event — and even prouder to support the future of opera and ballet.
