Annual Gala

The Concertgebouw Orchestra presents its festive Annual Gala concert for loyal audience members, friends, and donors. The Annual Gala starts with a reception at 19.30, and the fashionable after-party goes on until midnight.

Dress code: black tie.

Guests are welcomed to a reception at 19.30, after which they will be ushered into the Main Hall for a uniquely memorable conducted by our artistic partner and future chief conductor, Klaus Mäkelä. He will lead the orchestra in three colourful works. The concert opens with M.C. Escher’s Imagination by the Dutch-Iraqi composer Hawar Tawfiq. Next, Manuel de Falla’s symphonic impressions of Spanish gardens at night will be followed by Mussorgsky’s celebrated Pictures at an Exhibition. In it, Maurice Ravel, a veritable orchestral wizard, brings Mussorgsky’s tone paintings to life with his sumptuous orchestration.

After-party - After the concert, guests are invited to partake in the tantalising follow-up programmes in the Recital Hall, the Mirror Hall, the Choir Hall, and the Conductor’s Foyer. There will be ample opportunity to mingle with other guests, the conductor, soloists, and choir and orchestra members until midnight.