Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, based in Amsterdam, was founded in 1888. On the occasion of its centenary in 1988, ‘Royal’ status was officially conferred on the orchestra by its patron, the Queen of the Netherlands.

It is one of the greatest orchestras in the world, and is especially acclaimed for its performances of the works of Gustav Mahler and Anton Bruckner. Since its founding, the Concertgebouw Orchestra has regularly worked with the world’s leading conductors and soloists. Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler and Igor Stravinsky regularly conducted the orchestra, and it maintains close relationships with leading contemporary composers.

Over its history of more than 130 years, the orchestra has cultivated a distinct, individual sound, one that is due in part to the unique acoustics of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Another crucial factor is the outstanding quality of the orchestral musicians, who come from 25 countries, and of its only seven chief conductors to date: Willem Kes, Willem Mengelberg, Eduard van Beinum, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Chailly, Mariss Jansons and Daniele Gatti. Since the 2022/23 season Klaus Mäkelä has been the orchestra’s artistic partner, and in 2027 he will become its eighth chief conductor. Since 2021/22 Iván Fischer has been the orchestra’s honorary guest conductor.

Every season the orchestra gives around eighty concerts at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and around forty concerts worldwide in leading concert venues.

Alongside concert streaming and radio and television broadcasts, the orchestra produces audio and video recordings on its own label RCO Live.

Training and promoting promising talents are at the heart of the orchestra’s activities. To this end it has established the Academy of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, which integrates 14 outstanding young musicians into the orchestra each year. In addition, the biennial Concertgebouworkest Young youth orchestra brings together around eighty talented musicians aged 14 to 17 from around Europe, to collaborate on a concert programme under the direction of renowned conductors, culminating in performances at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and at other leading concert halls in Europe.

The Concertgebouw Orchestra is co-funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Municipality of Amsterdam, and sponsors, funds and numerous donors from all over the world.