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OpMaatorkest is a unique collaboration between the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and five primary schools in Antwerp. Over two years, students receive weekly music lessons during school hours from experienced music instructors. They explore the basics of rhythm, singing, and learn to play an instrument. Additionally, they discover the joy of playing and creating music together. Through the opMaatorkest, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra aims to provide every child with the opportunity to develop musically in a relaxed manner. At the end of the school year, all orchestra members gather on the stage of the Queen Elisabeth Hall for a spectacular finale concert. It is consistently a heartwarming moment for all attendees!

During the last week of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, the laureates withdraw to the Queen Elisabeth Chapel. Their final farewell to Belgian audiences comes in the form of the traditional laureates concert in the Queen Elisabeth Hall, during which they perform seminal milestones from the piano repertoire. Don’t miss this appointment with the future and an opportunity to see a new generation of star pianists at work after their defining performances during this world-renowned competition, before they embark on an international career!

With Camerata Salzburg, we welcome one of the world's most in-demand chamber orchestras to the stage of the Golden Hall. Together with top violinist Janine Jansen, the musicians present an enchanting programme featuring the grand sound worlds of Mendelssohn and Bach.

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is organising a symposium on Jewish musicians during World War II, in collaboration with the Study Centre for Flemish Music. Together with Herman Van Goethem (historian and former rector of UAntwerpen) and Jan Dewilde (musicologist at the Study Centre for Flemish Music), we will delve into this turbulent period and the lives of composers such as Daniel Sternefeld and Denise Tolkowsky.

This concert brings together several Flemish masters. One painting by Pieter Brueghel the Elder inspired two composers to create orchestral works. Erik Desimpelaere captured the brooding atmosphere of The Triumph of Death in his apocalyptic Danses Macabres. He tolls death bells and incorporates typical rhythmic patterns into his exuberant dances of death. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra presents a world premiere, embracing the opportunity to showcase new Flemish heritage. Many years earlier, Daniel Sternefeld also set Brueghel's scene to vivid and poignant music. Like Denise Tolkowsky, Sternefeld was an Antwerp Jewish composer forced into hiding during World War II. Both played significant roles in shaping post-war Flemish music. Tolkowsky's Piano Concerto remained overlooked for too long, but now, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra brings attention to this undiscovered gem.

After the summer break, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra returns to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw with a dynamic programme. Austrian conductor Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, previously admired as a talented violinist, takes the stage alongside the extraordinary pianist Yoav Levanon. Together, they present Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto, a masterpiece filled with passion, playful contrasts, and echoes of Norwegian folk traditions. Its dramatic opening bars, introduced by timpani rolls, set the tone for an emotional journey inspired by Grieg’s personal joys and sorrows. The concert concludes with Brahms’ majestic Fourth Symphony, a profound work reflecting his lifelong fascination with classical forms and styles. In its final movement, Brahms masterfully incorporates a passacaglia and an excerpt from a Bach cantata.

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra bids farewell to summer with a vibrant open-air concert on Sint-Jansplein. Under the baton of Romanian conductor Gabriel Bebeșelea, the orchestra ignites the evening with spirited works by Arturo Márquez, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein. This festive programme not only celebrates Antwerp but also sets the tone for their journey to the prestigious George Enescu Festival in Bucharest. Expect jazzy rhythms, a southern festival flair, and a uniquely Antwerp conviviality. Join us and toast to a memorable summer finale!

The trilogy comes to an end ... The full Antwerp Symphony Orchestra will bring the third part of The Lord of the Rings series, The Return of the King, to life during an enchanting film concert in the Queen Elisabeth Hall. Be swept away by Howard Shore's breathtaking score as you enjoy the legendary film on the big screen.

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra opens the concert season in grand style with an evening of brilliance and operatic splendour. This year, the spotlight falls on Javier Camarena, the world-renowned Mexican tenor and Male Singer of the Year at the International Opera Awards. Known as the king of bel canto, Camarena enchants with arias by Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi, and Gounod, showcasing his unmatched vocal artistry and charisma. The orchestra complements his performance with dazzling overtures and intermezzi, delivering their signature elegance and flair. An unforgettable night of operatic magic, glamour, and musical fireworks awaits!

With his warm timbre and impressive technique, Jinxu Xiahou has already enchanted audiences all over the world. Now he is on stage at The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, together with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. Together, they will perform a selection of arias from works by Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi, among others. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra complements these vocal delights with sparkling overtures and intermezzi, and assists the soloist with unparalleled class.