A spectacular Opening Night

It looked like we would finally be able to move beyond the coronavirus restrictions! And we celebrated this with a grand gift to the city. On Friday, 10 September, the Concertgebouworkest opened the 2021–22 season with a festive concert in the heart of Amsterdam. 

Opening Night on Dam Square, 10 September 2021 (photo: Nathan Reinds)
Opening Night on Dam Square, 10 September 2021 (photo: Nathan Reinds)

Daniel Harding is both a conductor and an airline pilot. Indeed, he took the audience on a musical journey through Europe with violinist Leonidas Kavakos as soloist. The journey began on home soil with the short, energetic Chase by the Dutch composer Joey Roukens, continuing via Germany and Italy on to its final destination of Paris, where the hubbub of the city took centre stage in George Gershwin’s An American in Paris.

The concert ended with a spectacular final chorus and dazzling fireworks.

Opening Night at Dam Square, September 10th, 2021

  •                                     Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra on stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
    Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra on stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
  •                                     Musicians en route to the stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
    Musicians en route to the stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
  •                                     Musicians en route to the stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
    Musicians en route to the stage (photo: Nathan Reinds)
  •                                     Audience at Dam Square (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
    Audience at Dam Square (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
  •                                     photo: Jorrit Lousberg
    photo: Jorrit Lousberg
  •                                     photo: Jorrit Lousberg
    photo: Jorrit Lousberg
  •                                     Violinist Leonidas Kavakos and conductor Daniel Harding (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
    Violinist Leonidas Kavakos and conductor Daniel Harding (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
  •                                     Donductor Daniel Harding (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
    Donductor Daniel Harding (photo: Jorrit Lousberg)
  •                                     photo: Nathan Reinds
    photo: Nathan Reinds
  •                                     photo: Nathan Reinds
    photo: Nathan Reinds
  •                                     photo: Nathan Reinds
    photo: Nathan Reinds
  •                                     Fireworks (photo: Nathan Reinds)
    Fireworks (photo: Nathan Reinds)