La Monnaie/De Munt

Brussels, Belgium

After Brussels was destroyed by the troops of Louis XIV in 1695, the city decided to build a theatre in place of the old mint. Today’s opera house dates from 1856, but has retained the name La Monnaie / De Munt to this day. Among those who were instrumental in turning it into one of Europe’s great opera houses were Gerard Mortier, Maurice Béjart and Antonio Pappano.