Frequently Asked Questions

Watch the broadcast via NPO Start

• Johann Strauss - Fledermaus Overture
• Grazyna Bacewicz - Overture
• Bedrich Smetana - The Moldau, from ‘My Fatherland’
• Xavier van de Poll - Madhouse (commissioned work, world premiere)
• Alexander Borodin - Polovtsian Dances, from ‘Prince Igor'
• Maurice Ravel - Bolero 

Niels Shoe Meulman makes a large work of art during the concert. Parts of the canvas will be posted for sale by him later via Unrulygallery. You can also find other works by him there.

The venue is full, unfortunately you can not enter anymore. Watch the broadcast of Opening Night tomorrow evening via NPO 2.

The concert begins at 8.15 p.m. (And ends around 9.35 p.m.)

Admission is free for this concert, you don’t need a ticket.

Be sure to keep an eye on the website for all the latest information!

Bicycle

If you bike from the city centre/Centraal Station, take the ferry to Buiksloterweg and from there, cycle ten minutes to NDSM-Plein 76. We ask that you take this same ferry on your way back. Once you arrive, be sure to park your bike in one of the designated bike spaces marked with ‘Fietsen Opening Night’ signs.

Pedestrians
Will you be coming to the NDSM-wharf on foot? Then you can take the direct ferry from Central Station.

Public transport

From the Atatürk bus stop, it’s a ten-minute walk to the Y-helling, at NDSM-Plein 76. A detailed schedule of bus departure times is available on the GVB website.

Car/parking

Parking at the NDSM Wharf costs EUR 1.40 an hour (you can pay at the parking meter using your debit card or via the Yellowbrick/Parkline app using parking codes 19586/19587).

The concert is being given at the Y-helling, at NDSM-Plein 76. The venue is easily recognisable thanks to the large crane on the site.

The concert is mostly for a standing audience. A limited number of picnic benches are available. For this reason, we are asking all those attending to look out for one another. If you are able to stand and happen to see someone close to you who may have reduced mobility, please offer them your seat.

We recommend everyone to bring a bottle of water. There will be two water fountains where you can fill up your bottle.

No, we do not provide catering, but there are various restaurant establishments on the at the NDSM Wharf where you can have a delicious meal before or after the concert. You can of course also bring your own drinks and snacks. Please make sure all waste is disposed of in the designated bins on the site.

The concert is freely accessible, so come when you like. If you would like to enjoy the entire programme, we recommend that you arrive on time. The concert starts at 8.15 pm and there is no opening act.

The public area of the concert is on an incline, with irregular ground. If you have difficulty walking, it is necessary to keep this in mind. It is not possible to guarantee a seat will be available. 

Yes, there are spots available for those with reduced mobility. The rest of the public area is on an incline.

Yes, you are allowed to bring a stool. Please bear in mind, though, that if you are seated, you may have difficulty seeing, particularly if others around you are standing.

The concert lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. It will end at about 9.35pm.

No, the rehearsals are not open to public. You are warmly invited to the concert at 8.15 pm on 8 September.

No, the orchestra is playing 1 programme.

There is no dress code. Wear clothing and footwear that suits the weather on the day. Because of the grates at the concert site, we advise against wearing heels.
NB: So as not to block viewing for fellow visitors, we ask that umbrellas are not used when it rains. 

No, that doesn't make much sense, the stage is facing the slope, so you won't see the orchestra. 

Pets are not allowed. Visitors who have a guide dog are welcome to bring their dog.

Yes, you can, and if you want to share them on social media, use #openingnight.

Because the concert is being broadcast, it is possible that you as a visitor may be shown on screen.

AVROTROS will broadcast the concert live on Dutch national radio via NPO Klassiek with Selma van Dijk presenting. On Saturday 9 September at 10.30 p.m. the concert will be broadcast on television via NPO 2, presented by Maria Fiselier.

Since last year, when we celebrated the start of the season on Dam Square, the Concertgebouw Orchestra has chosen to continue presenting its Opening Night in a special location in the city. The orchestra’s gala event, previously known as Opening Night, will be called Annual Gala as of season 2022/2023. This glamorous evening with reception and festive afterparty will be held in the Concertgebouw on 12 januari 2024.

You can order the tickets order the tickets online and via the Concertgebouw Line: +31 (0)20 671 83 45 (available daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

We will be announcing the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s concert programming for the 2023–24 season on our website on Sunday, 26 March at 01.30 p.m.

Subscriptions to Concertgebouw Orchestra series can be ordered or renewed starting from 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 March. Those participating in the orchestra’s donation programme may do so starting from 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 14 March.

Single tickets for the 2023–24 season go on sale on Thursday, 1 June. Special relations and Friends can order single tickets starting from Tuesday, 30 May. 

Single tickets for the 2023–24 season go on sale on Thursday, 1 June. Special relations and Friends can order single tickets starting from Tuesday, 30 May.

From these dates, you can easily order your tickets online from the concert schedule on our website or by phoning the Concertgebouw Line on +31 (0)20 671 83 45 (open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.).

If you opted for hardcopy tickets when you ordered, they will have been sent to you within five working days. If you order hardcopy tickets in the week before the concert, you can pick up the tickets at the box office on the day of the concert. Your tickets will also be available in your account on our website.

If you ordered e-tickets, you will find them in the confirmation email and in your account.

You can find your Enjoy later voucher or credit via your account on our website.

In the ordering process you have the option to enter the number and PIN of your voucher or credit. If your voucher or credit was issued before 9 November 2021, you can enter the last four digits of the voucher or credit number as a PIN.

If the value of your voucher or credit is higher than the value of your purchase, you can use the remaining amount at a later time.

We will be announcing the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s concert programming for the 2023–24 season on our website on Sunday, 26 March at 01.30 p.m. Subscriptions to Concertgebouw Orchestra series can be ordered or renewed starting from 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 March. Those participating in the orchestra’s donation programme may do so starting from 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 14 March.

If you have a subscription to a Concertgebouw Orchestra series in the 2022–23 season, we have prepared your series and seat(s) for you. On the day subscriptions go on sale, you will receive an email from us with your own personal link allowing you to renew your series. You have up to and including Sunday, 30 April to renew your seats. After that date, we will no longer be able to hold your seats for you.

You can find your Enjoy later voucher or credit via your account on our website.

In the ordering process you have the option to enter the number and PIN of your voucher or credit. If your voucher or credit was issued before 9 November 2021, you can enter the last four digits of the voucher or credit number as a PIN.

If the value of your voucher or credit is higher than the value of your purchase, you can use the remaining amount at a later time.

If you opted for hardcopy tickets when you ordered, these will be sent to you at the end of May, along with any tickets to additional concerts you may have ordered. Your tickets will also be available in your account on our website.

If you opted for e-tickets when you ordered your series, you can find your mobile tickets or a PDF with your e-tickets by clicking on the link in your confirmation email and in your account on our website.

Because we recently transitioned to a new ticketing system, we regret that it is no longer possible to receive subscription passes. 

If you order your series online, you can opt to pay using iDEAL, a credit card or a Podium Cadeaukaart. If you order over the phone or using the order booklet, you can also pay by direct debit, in which case the amount will be debited from the bank account you have provided within a few days. This process is different from previous years, when the amount was debited at the end of May. Because we recently transitioned to a new ticketing system, we regret that payment by means of a single direct debit in May is no longer possible.

You can redeem any vouchers you may have when paying online, over the phone or using the order booklet. If the value of your voucher(s) is greater than the cost of your purchase, the remainder will be credited to your account.

Are you unable to attend a concert from your series? Then you can use our exchange service by contacting our customer service via klantenservice@concertgebouworkest.nl or +31 (0)20 305 10 15 (Mon-Fri, 09:30-12:30). You can exchange the concert you cannot attend for one of the other concerts of the Concertgebouworkest. 

On the day of a concert stream, you will find a link to the stream on our homepage. On the video platform on our website you will find hundreds of videos and concert registrations, which you can view for free.

In the concert calendar on our website you will find the streams that are currently planned. On the day of the concert stream you will find a link to the stream on our homepage. 

Yes, it is possible to switch the live stream to digital TV through Chromecast or AirPlay. Learn more about casting streams to your digital TV below:

Casting content from the Concertgebouworkest video platform to your TV using Chromecast

• Connect the mobile device, tablet or computer you are using to cast content to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast or Chromecast-compatible smart TV.
• In the Chrome browser, open the video platform and choose the video you want to watch (NB: this will not work in other browsers). On the video page which now opens, click the play button in the middle of the screen. The video will start to play.
• Tap the cast icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the bar in the video screen. 
  
• Now select the device you wish to cast to.
• You can now cast videos directly to your TV.
• To stop casting, tap the cast icon.

Streaming content from the Concertgebouworkest video platform to your TV using AirPlay

• Connect your iPad, iPhone or Mac to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.
• In Safari, open the video platform and choose the video you want to watch (NB: this will not work in other browsers). On the video page which now opens, click the play button in the middle of the screen. The video will start to play.
• Tap the AirPlay icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the bar in the video screen. 
  
• Now select the device you wish to stream to.
• You can now stream videos directly to your TV.
• To stop streaming, tap the AirPlay icon.

In addition, it is possible to connect your computer/laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable.

This may have to do with your internet connection or the connection between the different devices you use. It might help to reset your modem and/or router.

If you are watching the stream via Chromecast or AirPlay, it may help to use your laptop/computer for the stream and connect it to the TV via an HDMI cable.

The Concertgebouworkest gives some 120 concerts a year, about 80 of which are at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. In the calendar you can see whether the concert is being given at the Concertgebouw or at another venue in or outside the Netherlands.

The Concertgebouw is located at Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN Amsterdam. You can find information on how to get to the Concertgebouw by public transport or by car on the Concertgebouw website.

The Concertgebouw concert hall is the Concertgebouworkest’s home base. Despite being two distinct organisations with separate premises, the Concertgebouw and the Concertgebouworkest do work closely together.

The Concertgebouworkest is made up of approximately 120 musicians from some 25 countries. You will find a complete overview of all the musicians here.

Most of our concerts require no specific dress code. Please wear what you feel comfortable wearing. Only our Annual Gala has a black tie dress code.

At classical music concerts, the audience normally claps only after an entire work has been performed, even if the work consists of multiple movements. The concert programme shows you exactly how many movements a particular piece of music has and about how long the whole piece will last. Another easy way to know when to clap is to watch the conductor, who will let his arms rest at his sides once the piece is finished.

Many of our visitors wish to enjoy the music to its fullest through concentrated listening in silence. For this reason, we ask that you arrive on time and refrain from making noise which could cause a nuisance. Switch your mobile phone to silent, and remember that bright screens can also disturb other listeners’ concentration.

Free concert programma

If you order a ticket, you will receive a free concert programme by email.

Preludium Magazine (in Dutch)

An online subscription to Preludium gives you unlimited access to all concert programmes - in Dutch. Preludium is the programme magazine of the Concertgebouworkest and the Concertgebouw. The magazine offers programme notes to nearly all the concerts given by the Concertgebouworkest and to the concerts in the Concertgebouw’s Own Programming. These programme notes, written by well-known music journalists, feature all sorts of extras, such as interviews, background articles and columns.

Preludium is available as a separate purchase prior to concerts. As a subscriber, you’ll receive Preludium monthly during the concert season at your home address. All the concert programmes are available in electronic format, optimised for PC, tablet and smartphone, at preludium.nl/. Here you can download the programmes as PDF files, which are easy to print out.

That depends on the concert, but most concerts last anywhere from two hours to two hours and fifteen minutes, including the interval. Preludium lists the estimated time at which each concert is expected to conclude. 

You are welcome to dine at Restaurant Lier prior to concerts given in the Main Hall. At Lier, you can enjoy classic dishes with a contemporary touch, all made from local, seasonal ingredients. You can read more about the restaurant, the menu and making reservations on the Concertgebouw website.

Would you like to share your love for classical music with your children or grandchildren? The Concertgebouworkest regularly organizes children's concerts, where children can get acquainted with symphonic music in a playful way. Here you will find the children's concerts that will be given this season.

In addition, here you will find educational videos that we have made especially for children, including the School TV series 'Between your ears' and the Zwitsal lullabies, and beautifully designed apps for at home on the couch.

There is also a membership of Entrée Junior for our youngest visitors (0-17 years old). With the Entrée Junior membership you can buy tickets for the special children's concerts for €12.50. In addition, with an Entrée Junior membership you will receive a 75 percent discount on more than 400 concerts in Het Concertgebouw (12+). For more information, visit jouwentree.nl/junior.

Information about access is available on this page of the Concertgebouw website. If you need further information, please contact us by phoning the Concertgebouw Line on +31 (0)20 671 83 45 (standard rate).

Officially trained assistance dogs (such as guide dogs for the blind) are permitted in the hall. The Concertgebouw would appreciate it if you would inform them in advance if you are planning to bring your assistance dog. Please phone the Concertgebouw Line on +31 (0)20 671 83 45 (standard rate). Pets are not allowed at the Concertgebouw.

Visitors with a hearing impairment may avail themselves of hearing support systems in the Main Hall and the Recital Hall of the Concertgebouw. You can find more information on this page on the website of the Concertgebouw.