The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century is one of the most prominent period instrument orchestras in the world. The musicians play internationally in leading (chamber) music ensembles and meet several times a year for performances of iconic and lesser-known repertoire.
In the early 1980s, the orchestra achieved world fame by performing grand symphonic work on original instruments and in a historically informed manner. A revolution that never really stopped.
But the uniqueness of the orchestra is not only in the sound or the way of playing. Ever since it was founded by Frans Brüggen more than forty years ago, musicians have never taken a score for granted. The approach to the music and how we present it is critical, curious, investigative and progressive. Core values from The Enlightenment that all orchestra members hold in high esteem. That is why every performance is a new challenge and the iconic repertoire remains alive and kicking.
Upcoming projects
Destiny - Mozart mass in c minor
Choir Flemish Radio Choir
Conductor Bart van Reyn
Soprano Ilse Eerens
Mezzo-soprano Barbara Kozelj
Tenor James Way
L. van Beethoven Symphony no. 5
W.A. Mozart Mass in c minor K.427/417a
Details
This season, for the first time, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century stands shoulder to shoulder with the Flemish Radio Choir. Conductor Bart van Reyn leads the orchestra and choir in iconic repertoire by the greatest composers: Mozart's Mass in c minor is his most popular choral work after the Requiem, and not without reason. Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is so famous that it is one of the few classical works we can point to with just the numeral. Two world-famous pieces in c minor in one concert.
And as it often goes with over-familiar works, after a while we as lovers, listeners and musicians tend to take things for granted. 'Again' Beethoven 5; But just as cliches are sometimes cliche for a reason, iconic repertoire is certainly iconic for a reason. This music, the emotion and energy in it, is second to none.
"The most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man" wrote E.M Forster about Beethoven's Fifth, but this could just as easily have applied to the Mass in c minor. The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century and the Flemish Radio Choir will let you hear just how "sublime" it really is.
Bach, Bach & Mendelssohn
Cello Jean-Guihen Queyras
Conductor Richard Egarr
J.S. Bach Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto in A major, Wq172
F. Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture Op.26
F. Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor, Op. 107 'Reformation'
Details
Herrenchiemsee 2026
Alexander Janiczek Musical direction and solo violin
L. van Beethoven Ouvertüre 'Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus', op. 43
W.A. Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, KV 216
L. van Beethoven Symphonie No. 2 in D major, op. 36
Details
In the summer of 2026, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century will be back at the Herrenchiemsee Festival in southern Germany. Two years ago we played Beethoven's first symphony. This year we are back with number two, as well as Mozart's third violin concerto, played by none other than our own Alexander Janiczek!
Haydn - L'isola disabitata
Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg conductor
Zephyr Brüggen director
Sharon Tadmor soprano
Michal Karski bass
Peter O'Reilly baritone
Hannah Gries mezzo-soprano
Joseph Haydn L'isola disabitata
Details
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.
News
Rehearsals for our Le nozze de Figaro started this week. This means that for the next three weeks we will be in Theater incubator De...
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century records Beethoven piano concertos for the first time Today The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century is proud to announce pianist Olga Pashchenko...
O18c proudly presents season 2025/2026; a varied and diverse season of music from the baroque to the present, with new and old partners. A season...