The Alma Quartet is the coolest string quartet in the ranks of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. In addition to the great classical string quartets, they also enjoy exploring adventurous programs. Today they present a colorful program featuring film music from the James Bond series, jazzy sounds by Schulhoff and Louis Armstrong, and new compositions by young composers from Amsterdam Zuidoost.

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.

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.

Many composers have drawn inspiration from the moon. In addition to the famous Moonlight Sonata In addition to Beethoven, the program also features the magnificent “Songs of Madagascar” by the famous French composer Maurice Ravel. Dramaturg Carel Alphenaar has selected the beautiful Dutch poems, which are recited by actor Abdelkarim el Baz.

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.

Bijlmer Klassiek is back at CEC Meets with a wonderful concert featuring string quartets by Borodin and Haydn and a new work by Berima Amo.

The musicians of the Schoch Quartet came together during difficult times. While the cultural world was still confined to their homes, the four musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra decided to start making music again. They found inspiration and solace in the most beautiful music there is: the classical string quartet. The program features one of Haydn’s last string quartets and Alexander Borodin’s Second String Quartet, with its famous slow movement in which the violin and cello tell a true love story. During this concert, the brand-new work Son of Love by the Ghanaian-Dutch composer and Southeast resident Berima Amo will have its world premiere. While writing the piece, he was inspired by the sound of the kora, an instrument played by various tribes in northern Ghana. Two young talents from Southeast Amsterdam—a true musical goldmine—will also be making an appearance. Destin Rusland is an up-and-coming pianist who blends hip-hop with classical music. Joni Frans is a vocalist with a distinctive voice that she combines with neo-soul, pop, and R&B. In short: a quartet concert featuring

Come enjoy this evening edition of Bijlmer Klassiek at CEC Meets.

The dramatic oratorio “Theodora” is a classic love story set against the backdrop of the persecution of Christians in ancient Rome. It powerfully tells the story of Theodora, a Christian, and Didymus, a Roman officer who converted to Christianity. The two lovers are persecuted and ultimately sentenced to death because of their faith. In the process, both attempt to sacrifice their own lives for the other.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: ‘This tragic oratorio, with its rich love story, is very much like an opera. The music is delightful. There are also plenty of contemporary references that allow us to give it a modern twist. We’re staging this monumental work at the IJ-Salons, with five young singers and an ensemble. This may make the story even more poignant.’

Today, the IJ-salon takes the audience on a journey through the night. The moon sets the rhythm on Earth. It guides travelers in the dark and is the ally of all lovers. But the moon is also part of our nightmares. Music for the moon spanning three centuries, featuring visuals by video artist EVman and the Dutch debut of the talented young Australian singer Lotte Betts-Dean.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: ‘It’s no coincidence that the moon is the ultimate source of inspiration for poets, artists, and composers. It seems as though we can project all our emotions onto her. Whether you’re in love, happy, sad, or anxious—the moon always has a face to match. It’s high time we dedicated an entire IJ-Salon to our pale companion.’

The vibrant Amsterdam-Zuidoost district boasts a rich musical culture unlike any other: from gospel to Ghanaian highlife music. For more than ten years, Music Stages has been organizing the Bijlmer Klassiek series in the district and is expanding this series with special events, where the audience is surprised time and again with spectacular crossover concerts. In this crossover concert, “Homage to Zuidoost,” musicians from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will collaborate with the “Dutch Queen of Soul” Shirma Rouse, the popular ZO! Gospel Choir, and the multi-talented Berima Amo.

The program naturally features upbeat gospel songs, but the choir also embraces crossover with classical music and will perform, among other pieces, the magnificent Ave Verum by Mozart. There is a long-standing collaboration with Berima Amo, the world-class Dutch-Ghanaian singer, trumpeter, and composer, who will present his first composition featuring soloist Shirma Rouse and the ZO! Gospel Choir.  This work draws on influences from both the Ghanaian vocal tradition and elements of gospel, bringing classical music and gospel together in a fresh way.

With thanks to the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, the Performing Arts Fund, Zabawas, and the Amsterdam Zuidoost District. Bijlmer Klassiek is a co-production of Music Stages and the Bijlmer Parktheater; the IJ-Salon is a co-production of Music Stages and the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ.

‘When I am laid in earth.’ Who isn’t familiar with Dido’s gorgeous lament? Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas tells the story of Queen Dido and her love for the hero Aeneas. Through the spells cast by witches, she is separated from him and dies of a broken heart—but not before she has sung her magnificent song. Director Peter Leung leads the young cast and the singers of the National Youth Choir.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: ‘With our production of *Dido*, we want to connect the past and the present. Our version references the opera’s premiere at an English girls’ school. At the same time, a newly written prologue by poet Julia-Beth Harris and composer Meriç Artaç firmly anchors the action in the present. This creates a modern story about the tension between power and powerlessness, between a sense of duty and passion.’

 

"Dido and Aeneas" is made possible in part by the Prince Bernhard Cultural Fund, Société Gavigniès, and

• in Zutphen: Municipality of Zutphen
• in Veere: the Frits Lensvelt Foundation and the Zeelandia Cultural Fund Foundation
• in Utrecht: the Elise Mathilde Fund Foundation, the K.F. Hein Fund, the Carel Nengerman Fund, and the Fentener van Vlissingen Fund