Vlaamse Opera

The organization is mainly financed by the Flemish government and the city councils of Antwerp and Ghent.

Performances took place on the stage of the Schouwburgh van de Oude Voetboog (Theatre of the Guild of Crossbowmen) at the Grote Markt.

The theatre gradually lost its popular Flemish character as French artists were engaged and the performances were no longer performed in the local (Dutch) language, but in French, the adopted language of the Flemish elite.

In 1709 a new theatre was installed in the "Tapissierspand", a former covered market for tapestry where alternately Italian and French operas were performed.

During the period of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, the theatre was promoted to "Théâtre Royal".

New office buildings were constructed, the main auditorium was updated with new seating, a new heating system, and the walls were painted in a new fresh green colour.