RESONANZ is an artistic and social cross-border initiative that strengthens both the cultural identity and the creative
sector of the Dutch-German border region. From Limburg and NRW, five core partners are building a sustainable
network in which emerging creators – between opera and urban culture – develop new forms of expression, co-
productions and audience engagement.
What may seem contradictory at first – classical tradition versus urban dynamism – becomes within RESONANZ a
driver of renewal and shared regional identity. Makers meet in crossover labs, masterclasses, contests and public
presentations. They develop new formats in the theatres of Venlo and Düsseldorf, in alternative spaces such as a
skatepark and through online platforms, while also aiming for wider circulation of the productions.
The annual co-productions make this artistic development visible:
URBAN meets OPERA (2026–27) – a reinterpretation of The Seven Samurai, weaving together urban dance, martial arts
and opera around the question: What are you willing to fight for?
OPERA meets URBAN (2027–28) –– a co-production for skateparks in which a classical opera is retold in an urban
context, reaching and engaging a new audience.
URBAN OPERA (2028–29) – the final production in which the experiences and artistic impulses of previous years
converge into an innovative, regionally rooted form and content that resonates with a broad and diverse audience.
RESONANZ invests not only in artistic development. The five core partners – Maaspoort Theater Venlo, D’Haus Junges
Schauspiel, Nieuwe Helden Next Level, House of Movement and Viva Classic Live – integrate, together with their
network partners, the complementary strengths of the Dutch and German cultural sectors into sustainable forms of co-
production.
RESONANZ directly supports Interreg Priority 4: building mutual trust and cooperation between citizens, while
contributing to professional development and the retention of creative talent in the Euregio.
