Carmen – The Hopelezz Edition

‘I want Carmen to be performed at my gravesite,’ composer Henriëtte Bosmans wrote. In this IJ-Salon, the musicians of the IJ-Salon together with the drag queens of House of Hopelezz and House of Løstbois fulfil her wish and pay tribute to one of the most extraordinary Dutch musicians of the 20th century. Bosmans identified herself with the fearless heroine of Bizet’s opera who didn’t care about conventions and remained true to herself until her death.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of IJ-Salon: ‘The decision to invite House of Hopelezz for this extravagant tribute came about entirely organically. Since their creation by drag queen Jennifer Hopelezz, these performers have been the epitome of cheerful and engaged exuberance of Amsterdam’s lgbtqia+ community. It will be an unforgettable afternoon, without doubt.’