Since its foundation in 1987, Walpurgis has specialised in creating contemporary music theatre productions. In doing so, Walpurgis makes a conscious effort to tap into the stream of young singers, musicians, actors and dancers, in order to allow a truly new form of music theatre to materialize alongside traditional opera, emerging from the organic collaboration with and between individual artists and ensembles. The most important aspect of this new kind of theatre is the freedom and responsibility the performers have within the creative process. Dialogue is, in addition to being the fundament of the artistic work, an important reflexive theme in many projects. In order to make contact with like-minded individuals, Walpurgis regularly organizes auditions and workshops for young singers. This laboratory-like, educational element of Walpurgis’ artistic operations allows a number of ‘kindred’ singers and musicians to join their productions, to practically apply the fruits of their labour. Walpurgis has commissioned compositions from Luc Brewaeys, Peter Vermeersch, François Deppe, Wolfgang Rihm, Klaas de Vries and Bart Vanhecke.