Opening Night 2023
Along with thousands of guests, the Concertgebouw Orchestra opened the new season at the NDSM wharf. There was festive music, a surprise act by Kovacs and live-action painting. Our open-air concert was truly a celebration!
Images of Opening Night
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photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
photo: Nathan Reinds -
Live action painting by Niels Shoe Meulman (photo: Nathan Reinds) -
Singer Kovacs sang David Bowie’s In the Port of Amsterdam, his version of Jacques Brel’s classic 'Amsterdam' (photo: Nathan Reinds)
Live-action painting
Thousands attended last night’s free open-air concert on the NDSM Wharf complex, kicking off our concert season. Among them was Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema. Everyone on the Y-Helling witnessed a festive, lively concert, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.
Adding to the festivities was live-action painting by artist Niels Shoe Meulman during the world premiere of Xavier van de Poll’s Madhouse. Parts of the canvas will be posted for sale by him via Unrulygallery. You can also find other works by him there.
Kovacs
After Ravel’s sensual favourite Bolero, followed a very special surprise: singer Kovacs sang David Bowie’s In the Port of Amsterdam, his version of Jacques Brel’s classic Amsterdam, accompanied by the Concertgebouw Orchestra playing a new arrangement by Tom Trapp. The energetic feel of the closing number was made even more powerful with a spectacular water salute from the River IJ.
Next year
Like our concerts in 2021 on Dam Square, in 2022 in the Westerpark and this year’s on the NDSM Wharf, next year’s Opening Night will be happening in a very special spot in the city.
Opening Night 2023 was partly made possible by the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s global partners ING, Unilever and Booking.com, and in collaboration with the Stichting NDSM-werf and Jan Raes Fund.
