I amsterdam - Best Lunchtime Concerts

Concertgebouw

Lunch concerts in the Concertgebouw are the most well-known and popular. They are held every Wednesday from the beginning of September till the end of June either in the Main Hall (Grote Zaal) or the Recital Hall (Kleine Zaal) of the Concertgebouw at 12.30. A leaflet with the season’s programme is available in the Concertgebouw, so you can plan your visits ahead.

Recital Hall performances usually feature chamber music by Dutch or foreign musicians and singers. A concert programme is always printed and handed out to the visitors. It also contains information about performers. Though it is in Dutch, it is not difficult to understand even for those not fluent.

The Main Hall performance is usually a public rehearsal of the forthcoming evening concert, so this is good chance to listen to a world class orchestra led by a well-known conductor.

It is not surprising that these concerts are in great demand and people arrive well in advance to secure good places. Despite my best efforts I have never managed to arrive before noon but by then there is already a sizeable crowd waiting for the doors to open.

Very different people come to these concerts – you can see older people who have the air of the regular concert goers along with the young generation. Backpackers sit next to tourists who sometimes plan to rush to the train station or the airport right after the concert. Unfortunately very often there is a young child in the audience who predictably starts to cry during the performance.

Wednesdays, 12.30, more information: www.concertgebouw.nl

Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ

The Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2005. It is called the Amsterdam’s concert hall of the 21^st century and with its vast contemporary programme it explores current musical developments.

It is as strikingly modern as the Concertgebouw is traditionally classic. Its beautiful glass façade provides great views over the Amsterdam harbour and surroundings – especially if you are lucky and visit it on a sunny day.

Lunch concerts are normally held in the main hall once a month, on different week days, with the exception of June, July and August. The programme for the season is also available in the general Muziekgebouw brochure that you can get inside.

Though these concerts have started quite recently and are not so well known around town, they are definitely worth a try.

Monthly, see www.muziekgebouw.nl

Muziektheater

Lunch concerts in the Muziektheater started in 1989 and since the 1998-1999 season the De Nederlandse Opera has taken care of programme. Concerts take place in the small Boekmanzaal every Tuesday from September till May and feature among others performers from Nederlands Kamerorkest, Opera Studio Nederland and Holland Symfonia. Doors open at 12.15 and the concert lasts from 12.30-13.00.
Tuesdays, 12.15, see www.muziektheater.nl

How to get there:

Concertgebouw
Address: Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 1071 LN Amsterdam
Trams 2, 5, 12, 16, 24

Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
Address: Piet Heinkade 1, 1019 BR Amsterdam
Close to Central Station

Muziektheater
Address: Amstel 3, Amsterdam
Close to metro station Waterlooplein (lines 53 and 54) and trams 9 and 14.