The intersection of spirituality, sexuality, and performance art is taking center stage in Antwerp this April. Opera Ballet Vlaanderen is presenting SANCTA, a provocative production by Austrian director and choreographer Florentina Holzinger that challenges traditional norms of the operatic genre and the Catholic tradition.
Described as a “feminist high mass on roller skates,” the performance is a radical reimagining of Paul Hindemith’s 1922 miniature opera, Sancta Susanna. While the original work focused on a nun who is punished for her inability to hide her sexuality during prayer, Holzinger’s SANCTA expands this narrative into a theatrical manifesto on spiritual and sexual liberation, female power, and solidarity Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
The production, which runs from April 4 to April 9, 2026, blends Hindemith’s original score with liturgical music, pop, and metal. The result is an “ecstatic celebration” lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes without a break, where performers reclaim the pain, shame, and guilt historically imposed on women within the Catholic tradition Opera Online.
Given the explicit nature of the work, the production includes a comprehensive content warning. The performance features nudity, explicit sexual acts, representations and descriptions of sexual violence, as well as the use of fake blood, piercings, and the infliction of wounds. The production utilizes stroboscopic effects, sound amplification, and incense Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
Deconstructing the Canon: From Hindemith to Holzinger
The foundation of SANCTA lies in the 1922 work Sancta Susanna. In its original form, the piece was a scandal-inducing miniature opera that explored the internal conflict of a nun awakening to her own sexuality. Holzinger has transformed this 30-minute piece into a sprawling performance piece that first premiered at the Stuttgart Opera in October 2025 Opera Online.
By integrating diverse musical genres—ranging from the sacred to the aggressive tones of metal—Holzinger creates a “new celebration of the Mass.” This approach is intended to sweep aside conventions, symbolized vividly by the image of nuns singing while on roller skates. The production is a collaborative effort involving Spirit, neon lobster, Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater, and Staatsoper Stuttgart, with co-productions from entities including the Wiener Festwochen and Theater Rotterdam Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
Production Details and Casting
The revival by Opera Ballet Vlaanderen features a specific cast and creative team. The production is directed by Florentina Holzinger, with a cast including Marit Strindlund, Cornelia Zink, Andrea Baker, and Emma Rothmann. The characters listed for the work include Susanna, Klementia, and La vieille nonne Opera Online.
For international audiences, the performance is sung and spoken in English and German, with surtitles provided in both Dutch and English Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
The Cultural Impact of the ‘Provocative Nun’
The reaction to SANCTA reflects a broader cultural dialogue regarding the depiction of religious figures in art. By utilizing nudity and explicit imagery, the production deliberately provokes a reaction to highlight the historical constraints placed upon women in religious institutions. The “blootopera” (naked opera) serves as a vehicle for liberation, transforming a space of traditional restriction into a “liberating circus” Opera Online.
This thematic approach aligns with Holzinger’s trademark style: boundary-pushing performances with high show value that cast a feminist light on canonical works and societal norms. In SANCTA, the physical body becomes a site of reclamation, where the “pain, shame, and guilt” of the Catholic tradition are redefined through performance Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
Performance Schedule and Accessibility
The production is scheduled for several dates in April 2026 at 20:00:00:
- April 4, 2026
- April 5, 2026
- April 7, 2026
- April 8, 2026
- April 9, 2026
To facilitate attendance, the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen provides a bus service from Gent for those attending the performances Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director/Choreographer | Florentina Holzinger |
| Original Work | Sancta Susanna (Paul Hindemith, 1922) |
| Duration | Approx. 2h 30m (no intermission) |
| Languages | English and German (Dutch/English subtitles) |
| Key Themes | Feminist liberation, spiritual/sexual freedom, female solidarity |
The next confirmed event related to the production was a panel discussion with Florentina Holzinger, which took place on Thursday, March 26 Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the role of provocative art in challenging religious traditions in the comments below.