Belgian Composer Philippe Boesmans has Died, Aged 85

A longtime collaborator with La Monnaie, Boesmans started there in 1985, serving under general directors Gerard Mortier, Bernard Foccroulle, and Peter de Caluwe. Gerard Mortier commissioned several of his works, including La Passion de Gilles (1983), the Trakl-Lieder (1987) and the 1989 orchestration of L’Incoronazione di Poppea de Monteverdi.  Bernard Foccroulle, in 1993, then commissioned a new opera, Reigen, with librettist Luc Bondy. As one of Boesmans' most well-known operas, the production went on to be toured internationally throughout the 90s.

“We want to remember Philippe for his humanism, his humour and his generosity,” Peter de Caluwe said in an official statement. “He was always a welcome guest at our Theatre and an essential support for our house. He was a trusted voice for three successive directors of La Monnaie and was always ready to give constructive comments on our programming, for which he repeatedly made original suggestions. His opinion mattered, as a friend and as a professional, and will be greatly missed.”

Born in Tongeren, Belgium in 1936, Boesmans first studied piao Conservatoire de Liège. In 1961, Boesmans became a producer at the Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), a public broadcaster of Belgium.

He was first introduced to composition by the likes of Pierre Froidebise and Henri Pousseur, as well as those at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse. His earlier compositions were mainly for chamber music and orchestra before he switched to operatic compositions.

For his artistic output and compositions, he won the Prix Italia (1971), Prix Arthur Honegger (2000), SACD Music Prize (2004).

Our condolences to Mr. Boesmans and his family and friends.