Beyond Classic 2026
Fatal attraction
Fetish has always carried the pulse of temptation, seduction and self-expression. It plays with power, gender roles, roleplay, domination, submission and that dangerous spark of fatal attraction.
Inspired by the tragic opera heroine Carmen, Beyond Classic 2026 dives into baroque and contemporary stories of desire, resistance and passion. Expect Carmen-inspired personas, a hint of tango and performances that blur the line between beauty and obsession.
For this coming edition we present a top-tier and diverse cast of world stars from opera, ballet, flamenco and acrobatics.
Mezzo-soprano Iris Vermillion and bass-baritone Dietrich Henschel have appeared on the most iconic opera stages in the world and worked with legendary conductors such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim and Jordi Savall. They embody some of the most passionate characters in opera history, including the uninhibited seductress Carmen and her lover Escamillo, entangled in dangerous passion.
Flamenco dancer Marina Paje and acrobat Didac Cano add the embers of Spain to the performance, while clowns Mareike Franz and Adrian Schvarzstein bring the world of Don Quixote to life.
Together with one of the leading choreographers of our time, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antwerp star performer Gregory Frateur and the musicians of Fetish Baroque under the musical direction of Michael Hell, this exceptional cast will leave you no choice: total seduction to fatal attraction.
When: Thursday 5 March 2026
Where: AMUZ, Antwerp – a breathtaking concert hall housed in a former church
Proceeds from Beyond Classic 2026 will support Fetish@Pride.Amsterdam and the travel funds of the titleholders elected during Beyond Darklands. With this support, we help the iconic Fetish Boat sail at next year’s WorldPride Canal Parade in Amsterdam, a symbol of visibility, safety and connection. Fetish is not just style, it is history, resistance and self-expression. From the canals of Amsterdam to the dance floors of Beyond Darklands, we celebrate pride, freedom and the right to be yourself.
