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
International Conducting Competition Rotterdam
Details
Festivo Aschau
Rachel Podger violin
Alexander Janiczek concertmaster and musical director
W.A. Mozart Sinfonie No. 30, KV 202
W.A. Mozart Violin Konzert No. 5, KV 219
W.A. Mozart La Finta Giardiniera, Overture, KV 196
W.A. Mozart Rondo in B-Dur für Violine and Orchester, KV 269/261a
J.F. Haydn Sinfonie No. 60, Hob. I:60
Details
Le nozze di Figaro
Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg conductor
Jorinde Keesmaat director
With: James Newby
Katharine Dain
Nikki Treurniet
James Atkinson
Maria Warenberg
Esther Kuiper
Sharon Tadmor
Dramaturgy Marion Platevoet and Willem Bruls
Costume Design Sanne Oostervink
Lighting Design Desiree van Gelderen
Video design Frouke ten Velden
Assistant director and Internship manager Adriana Rio
W.A. Mozart Le nozze di Figaro
Details
The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century is venturing into an opera by Mozart again this year. The previous production, "Cosi fan tutte," received high praise for its musical quality and exciting direction. "With six delightful singers and the equally delightful Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, they brought a fantastic, gender-neutral vision of opera, often seen as problematic." ***** wrote Trouw after seeing the production in 2023.
This time the choice is Le Nozze di Figaro and it is directed by Jorinde Keesmaat. Expect an evening centered on Mozart's magnificent music, but with an unexpected look at the story and the various characters. A top international cast shapes the characters and the wonderful vocal fireworks Mozart patented do the rest.
Baroque benefactors
Lucie Horsch recorder and musical direction
Music by Handel, Scarlatti, Corelli and Roman and a new work by Freya Waley-Cohen
Details
"Lucie Horsch shines on the recorder in concerts with the Orchestra of the 18th Century"
After last season's resounding success and a beautifully received album, Lucie Horsch is back with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. They present and dazzling new Baroque program with concertos, chamber music and orchestral works by Georg Friedrich Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Domenico Scarlatti, and the Swedish composer Johann Helmich Roman in the leading roles.
Like many of their contemporaries, these composers were supported and maintained by wealthy women. Sometimes these patrons were connected to the court, sometimes they were wealthy elites from England, Germany, Sweden, or -yes- the Netherlands. But what drove these women? Why did they seek to connect with music, art and culture in this way? In this concert the focus is not only on the music and the men who composed it, but also on the women who made it all possible and in this way secured themselves a place in history.
News
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...
Tonight in Rotterdam we play our second concert in the tour with Theotime Langlois de Swarte "Mozart in Paris. A wonderful program with Mozart and...
Our new production with Dutch National Opera Academy, La fedeltà premiata, premieres Friday, Jan. 17, at Amare in The Hague. Sunday is al...