For this program, flutist Julie Moulin drew inspiration from the wanderings of Odysseus. In this beautiful arrangement for three string instruments, flute, and harp, they, too, embark on a musical journey across the ocean. The artist Zeinab Elbouni reflects on Homer’s stories in her own words.

With the Bijlmer Klassiek series, Michael Gieler brings world-class chamber music to Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra perform in an intimate setting and connect with artists who have their roots in the Bijlmer. In the auditorium of the Bijlmer Parktheater, great names like Beethoven and Schubert go hand in hand with upbeat songs from around the world. Bijlmer Klassiek is a joint project of Music Stages and the Bijlmer Parktheater.

Yang Yang Cai, a rising star in the piano world, is central to this program. The young Dutch-Chinese pianist curated this program together with high-profile theatre director and dancer Sarada Sarita, who is very influential in current political and artistic movements.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: ‘Our starting point during this concert is a piece which is rarely, if ever, performed: The Djinns by César Franck, based on a poem by Victor Hugo. It is a mysterious and dark text, set to music with great subtlety by Franck. Extraordinary!’