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

October 2024

Requiem & Mozart 40

October 23 - Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg tickets
October 24 - Amsterdam, Het Concertgebouw tickets
October 25 - Nijmegen, DeVereeniging tickets
October 27 - Haarlem, Phil.

Choir: Cappella Amsterdam
Conductor: Daniel Reuss

Soprano: Mhairi Lawson
Mezzo soprano: Esther Kuiper
Tenor: Guy Cutting
Baritone: Peter Harvey

W.A. Mozart Overture (from Die Zauberflöte, KV 620)
W.A. Mozart Symphony no. 40 in g minor, KV 550
W.A. Mozart Requiem in d minor, KV 626
W.A. Mozart Ave verum corpus in D major, KV 618

To project

A model rendition of Mozart's ever-popular death mass
-TROW 

After its resounding success two years ago, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century once again joins forces with Cappella Amsterdam for one of the finest works in the classical repertoire. Mozart's Requiem. A stately work about death and mourning, but oh so magnificent and emotional. For forty years this iconic work has been on the orchestra's lectern, and still it does not bore. Every note and bar never ceases to surprise. A true masterpiece.  

In the first half, the orchestra plays another Mozart masterpiece: Symphony No. 40. As with Beethoven's fifth, the whole world knows the first few bars, but this world-famous piece hides many brilliant passages that never surface because it always sticks to the first notes. The Orchestra dusts it off, making Mozart sound like it's the first time you've heard it.  

November 2024

Cello Biennial

November 09 - Amsterdam, Muziekgebouw tickets

Jean-Guihen Queyras cello
Charlotte Spruit violin
Kristian Bezuidenhout fortepiano

L. Cherubini "Chant sur la mort de Haydn" (introduction)
J. Haydn Cello Concerto in C major
L. van Beethoven Triple Concert

To project

Lucie Horsch - Voice of the recorder (reprise)

November 29 - Eisenstadt, Esterházy Castle
December 01 - Haarlem, Phil. tickets
December 03 - The Dove, Amsterdam
December 04 - Leiden, Stadsgehoorzaal tickets
December 06 - Groningen, Oosterpoort tickets
December 07 - Zeeland Concert Hall tickets
December 08 - Breda, Chasse Theater tickets

Recorder: Lucie Horsch

J. S. Bach Concerto BWV 1053 (arr. Frans Brüggen)
A. Vivaldi RV 443, Flautino concerto
A. Vivaldi Aria: 'Sovente il sole', from 'Andromeda liberata', RV 117
A. Vivaldi Concerto in a minor from RV 522, L’Estro Armonico op. 3 nr. 8
R. Namavar Fetiapoipoi (world premiere)
J. S. Bach BWV 1041, Concerto in a minor (arr. Lucie Horsch)

To project

The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century joins forces once again with recorder player and singer Lucie Horsch. A special program on recorder and voice with works by J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and a brand new work by Reza Namavar. Old music in a new way; new music inspired by old masters.

Bach wrote no solo works for recorder, and yet the evening opens and closes with a concerto by the German grand master. The opening was arranged by founder of the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century Frans Brüggen; the closing piece Lucie Horsch herself arranged for her instrument. This is how Bach sounded if he did compose for recorder!

The Latin name for recorder "ricordare la voce," literally means "remembering the voice. Lucie takes it to the test. She arranges Bach's concerto in a minor for recorder and brings the aria "Stirb in mir, Welt" back to its vocal roots.

Especially for this program, composer Reza Namavar is writing a new work inspired by Vivaldi's double concerto in a minor. The double violin concerto becomes a violin recorder concerto.

January 2025

La fedeltà premiata

January 17 - The Hague, Amare tickets
January 18 - The Hague, Amare
January 19 - The Hague, Amare
January 21 - Leiden, Stadsgehoorzaal tickets
January 22 - Haarlem, Phil. tickets
January 23 - Alkmaar, Theater de Vest tickets

Conductor: Benjamin Wenzelberg 
Director: Anja Kühnhold 
Set & costume design: Anna-Sophia Blersch
And young soloists from DNOA

J. Haydn La fedeltà premiata (Hob. XXVIII/10)

To project

In 2025, the orchestra will once again join forces with the Dutch National Opera Academy to perform an opera by Haydn.

On Nov. 8, 2024, Decca will launch a new album by Lucie Horsch. The album is the result of a long-running project in which Lucie...

On July 3, 2024, the news came out that the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century can once again rely on the...

From the beginning of March, the orchestra has been on tour nonstop. First with our annual educational project Side by Side, then on to Japan for...