On 25 July 1897, the Feestzaal of the Zoo, the predecessor of the current golden Koningin Elisabethzaal, was inaugurated. To mark that 125th anniversary in style, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is organizing festive concerts throughout September in and around its residence. In November, '125 years Koningin Elisabethzaal: from wooden kiosk to Golden Hall' will be published by Hannibal Books.
Inauguration of the Festival Hall
On Sunday, 25 July 1897, the Feestzaal of the Zoo was officially opened with a music festival conducted by Peter Benoit, then director of the Antwerp music conservatory. The programme featured only composers from the region: Paul Gilson, Emile Wambach, Jan Blockx, Edgar Tinel and finally Peter Benoit himself. In those early years, legendary musicians soon found their way to this new concert hall, including violinists Eugene Ysaÿe and Fritz Kreisler, cellist Pablo Casals and pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
The iconic concert hall holds many more stories. During the First World War, the hall was converted into a hospital ward, and during the 1920 Olympic Games, boxing and wrestling took place in the hall. When the Elisabethzaal was rebuilt in 1959, materials were reused from pavilions from the recently concluded Expo '58. And in 2016, the third hall in this location was inaugurated, which is now already renowned among musicians worldwide for its exceptional acoustics. Later this year, Hannibal Books will publish a monumental coffee table book about the fascinating history of the Koningin Elisabethzaal and its unique bond with Antwerp's musical life.
September Festival Month
To mark the 125th anniversary of the Koningin Elisabethzaal in extra style, September is transformed into a festival month. Each week, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra offers a unique and special concert: from the free open-air concert at Antwerp's Sint-Jansplein, to the overwhelming film concert Pirates of the Caribbean, to the glamorous opening gala with opera star Bryn Terfel. The classical concert season starts with Antwerp Symphony!
Sun 04.09.2022: Free open-air concert: closing the summer together at Sint-Jansplein
Following tradition, Antwerp Symphony closes the summer at Sint-Jansplein! Earlier in the day, the orchestra and soloists from Opera Ballet Vlaanderen bring a preview of the coming season. The Re-Mix Orchestra, the youth band of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, is the ideal warm-up to kick off the evening. From 19:30, Antwerp Symphony performs a programme full of delightful and accessible music, with a starring role for Antwerp soprano Liesbeth De Vos.
Fri 16.09 and Sat 17.09.2022: Film concert: The Pirates of the Caribbean
It's almost twenty years since Johnny Depp first stepped into the shoes of Jack Sparrow. The first of five pirate films from Walt Disney became one of the greatest blockbusters of all time, and the epic music by Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt certainly has something to do with that. The Koningin Elisabethzaal is temporarily transformed into a gigantic cinema with space for a full symphony orchestra.
Sun 18.09.2022: NEOJIBA Orchestra with Maria João Pires: Brazilian flair
The Neojiba Orchestra from Salvador da Bahia was founded by conductor Ricardo Castro and is the Brazilian answer to the renowned El Sistema educational system that has produced so much top talent. None other than Maria João Pires, one of the greatest living pianists, performs Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with them. This concert full of South American energy is guaranteed to be an unmissable discovery!
in collaboration with deSingel
More info >>>
Fri 23.09.2022 Opening gala with Sir Bryn Terfel: from Wagner to 'Fiddler on the Roof'
For the festive opening gala, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra managed to secure the charming and excellent Sir Bryn Terfel. The Welshman has a well-filled trophy cabinet and performs at every major opera house. Thanks to a varied programme featuring classical arias, musical numbers and Welsh folk songs, one thing is certain: with the good-natured Sir Bryn Terfel on stage, you can expect nothing short of an epic concert experience.
Sun 25.09.2022 Aperitif concert at the Museum: Opening weekend KMSKA
The KMSKA steps outside during opening weekend. On 25 September, enjoy a sparkling open-air concert with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra creates a festive atmosphere and happy vibes with music by Gershwin, Rossini and Beethoven, among others.
Fri 30.09.2022 Opening concert with Elim Chan and Patricia Kopatsjinskaja
Chief conductor Elim Chan officially declares the concert season open on the last day of September! Together with top violinist Patricia Kopatsjinskaja, she presents the first concert from the Masterworks series of Antwerp Symphony. On the programme: Bartók's First Violin Concerto, Mahler's First Symphony, and the world premiere of Dansereye by Flemish composer Joris van der Herten, winner of the Peter Benoit composition prize 2021.
We absolutely wanted to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Koningin Elisabethzaal. For Antwerp Symphony, as resident orchestra, the hall is incredibly important. And we wanted to share that birthday celebration with everyone immediately. That's why we're presenting a wide range of concerts for every music lover throughout the entire month.
Joost Maegerman, intendant Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is the symphonic orchestra of Flanders and Belgium, with the renowned Koningin Elisabethzaal in Antwerp as its home base. The orchestra is led by chief conductor Elim Chan, honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe and conductor emeritus Jaap van Zweden and performs concerts on the largest stages in Belgium and abroad. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is one of seven recognized Flemish Art Institutions, and reaches more than 100,000 people annually with its concerts and events in Belgium and abroad. #thesoundofantwerp #flandersambassador
Koningin Elisabethzaal
With the golden Koningin Elisabethzaal, a new cultural beacon opened in 2016 in the heart of the diamond city Antwerp. The concert hall, which celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2022, accommodates 2000 music lovers and is easily accessible by public transport thanks to its proximity to Antwerp Central Station. This classical concert hall with superior acoustics and a golden ambiance is the home of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. Here the orchestra can further refine its own sound, while the audience can enjoy music and surroundings under optimal conditions.