Somer & Winter

Summer and Winter just can’t seem to agree. Which season is best suited for love? In Summer & Winter, tempers flare as both seasons claim to be the ideal time to fall in love. Witnesses are called, supporters and opponents gather, and the debate spirals out of control. When a duel looms, the goddess Venus intervenes, reminding Summer and Winter that they are brothers — and that love does not belong to any single season.
Composers Hans Vercauteren and Lente Verelst base this musical family production on Vanden Winter ende vanden Somer, one of the abele spelen, the oldest surviving Dutch-language theatrical texts.
Actress Joke Emmers takes on the role of Venus, tasked with restoring peace, and also portrays the Wanderer. She is joined musically by two singers — Summer and Winter — the full Children’s Chorus of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, and SPECTRA in the form of a seven-piece instrumental ensemble.