De toerist (The tourist)

In honour of the 25th anniversary of the Schiermonnikoog Festival, the new mixed-media chamber opera De toerist (The tourist) will premiere during the 15th spring festival. In this contemporary opera, composer Camiel Jansen and writer Fien Veldman explore the tense relationship between islanders and tourists: a microcosm of larger themes such as housing shortages, gentrification and cultural identity.  

Based on conversations with residents, De toerist weaves recognisable observations with local folk tales into a tragicomic and moving portrait of an island in transition. 

Please note: the libretto is in Dutch

Camiel Jansen (1991) and Fien Veldman (1990)  
Composer Camiel Jansen was recently appointed Composer of the Netherlands 2026-2027. The jury praised his ability to translate current topics clearly and convincingly into music that reaches a wide audience. This quality is also evident in De toerist (The tourist), in which he explores social themes that are strongly felt on Schiermonnikoog (and elsewhere). With this appointment, Jansen is recognised as one of the striking voices in new Dutch music. His earlier projects, in which he repeatedly explores the relationship between art and society, form a prelude to De toerist, in which he uses his musical language to make the reality of the theme tangible.

Fien Veldman (Leeuwarden, 1990) made her debut in 2023 with Hard Copy. The novel was nominated for the Anton Wachter Prize and translated into several languages. She won the Joost Zwagerman Essay Prize in 2021 and the Elise Mathilde Essay Prize in 2018. Her work is characterised by a strong social commitment and a sense of humour.

Roza Herwig | mezzo-soprano 
Fabian Homburg | baritone 
Emma Roijackers | violin 
Anuschka Pedano | viola 
Hadewych van Gent | cello 
Vincent Martig | clarinet 
Maria Cristina Gonzalez | flute 
Floris Onstwedder | trumpet 
Agate Kruszewska | percussion 
Caspar Vos | piano