Following its success in the Netherlands with the Dutch National Opera Academy, O18c is bringing a new version of this great opera by Joseph Haydn. At the Bremen Musikfest, this new semi-staged opera will premiere under the direction of Zephyr Brüggen and with Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg as musical director and conductor.

The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century presents *The Messiah* in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s arrangement. In this version, the beloved masterpiece gains an extra dash of drama and features a larger orchestra with instruments that did not yet exist in Handel’s time. You’ll be listening to Handel while also experiencing something quintessentially Mozartian—the classical style that forms part of the orchestra’s core repertoire. And it was thanks to Mozart that *The Messiah* became a true classic on the European mainland as well, a status that has remained unchanged for more than two centuries.

O18c joins forces with the renowned NDR Vokal ensemble from Hamburg, led by Dutch conductor Klaas Stok. This will be a special encounter, as the choir is rarely heard in the Netherlands.

Together with top international soloists, it will be a festive concert for the Christmas season: familiar and surprising at the same time.

Every year The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century joins forces with students from the Early Music Department of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. The result though not only great to hear; it is also an unforgettable learning experience for the students, and for our musicians.

This festive program centers on the sparkling energy of Mozart's concertos.

Podger shines in one of Mozart's beloved violin concertos, and in addition a number of orchestra members step forward as soloists in other concertos by Mozart. That includes the beautiful and moving clarinet concerto.

Together, the musicians bring a program that showcases the richness of Mozart's music for soloist and orchestra, from virtuosic solos to vibrant ensemble playing in both early and late works from Mozart's oeuvre. With O18c's characteristic liveliness, this concert promises to be an evening of musical joy and refinement.

In 2027, it will be 200 years since Beethoven's death. Reason for a celebration? In any case, reason for The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century to put Beethoven in the spotlight for a month. Under the direction of Jakob Lehmann, young conductor who is rapidly becoming internationally renowned, the orchestra will play Beethoven's third and seventh symphonies.

Pianist Olga Pashchenko will solo in Beethoven's third and first piano concertos. Pashchenko is one of today's most versatile pianists and is artistic partner of O18c Together they record all of Beethoven's piano concertos for Alpha Classics.

For the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Beethoven is iconic: this music belongs to the core repertoire in which the orchestra became great and made a name for itself worldwide. In this anniversary program, tradition and future come together in revolutionary repertoire that sounds alive and kicking again.

The Concertgebouw is launching a new concept in season 2026-2027: The Story. Concerts with a story told by a well-known actor between movements. On May 20 and 21, 2027, the spotlight will be on Beethoven and Napoleon, and of course Beethoven's third symphony will be played then. And who better to do that than our Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.