M8: Helstone

What do opera and Suriname have in common? Who was Helstone, the composer of the first Surinamese opera? And what kind of world did his contemporary Rustwijk create on stage? This installation invites you into a reconstruction of Het pand der goden (1906), where stories from experts, musicians and descendants — alongside historic locations, archive material and music from the opera itself — guide you through Helstone’s journey. An immersive experience that weaves past and present together, sparking new conversations about history, identity and art.