JUST 4 PLACES REMAINING - BOOKING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 19 SEPTEMBER
We are off to Amsterdam mid-December for 5 days of performances while staying at the new 4* InnSide Amsterdam Zuid, located just 9 minutes by tram (5 stops) from the Concertgebouw. Travelling into Amsterdam Tram line 5 continues to the Museumplein & Leidseplein so you are easily connected to the heart of the city. We also make our first visit to the Muziekgebouw concert hall, situated on the waterfront of the IJ.
Our pre-Christmas visit this year takes us to two performances with The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - considered by many, the finest orchestra in the world. The first with the sensational pianist Yuja Wang performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 conducted by Thomas Adès who also leads the orchestra with his work Inferno described as "a very colourful journey through hell!" Our second visit sees Andris Nelsons lead the orchestra in a performance of Gustav Mahler's 4th Symphony. In the first part of the programme Andris is joined by his great friend and trumpet virtuoso Håkan Hardenberger who takes us on a journey thru Jörg Widmann's trumpet concerto Towards Paradise.
At the Muziekgebouw we have an evening of violin and piano virtuoso sonatas - Brahms, Beethoven & Messiaen with two outstanding musicians of the 21st century Marc Bouchkov & Lucas Debargue. Here's a video clip of them performing Mozart with Klaus Mäkelä (playing cello!). https://youtu.be/ykusNHNg89A
On Monday and Tuesday evenings you have a choice of one of both performances at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet - we have superb top price stalls tickets for both performances. On Monday evening you can delight in a performance of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling. Since the premiere in 1996 it has captured countless hearts. Skaters gliding over a frozen Amsterdam canal, a grand party that transforms into a snowy forest, and a colourful journey through a magic lantern.
On Tuesday the Dutch National Opera perform Bellini's grand bel canto opera I Capuleti e i Montecchi - Romeo and Juliet, but from a different perspective than Shakespeare’s play. Bellini drew on Italian sources and brought the tragic struggle between love and family honour to life through gripping music. The opera is filled with poignant arias and duets that expose the characters’ inner turmoil.
One performace included - to include both add £120.
We have left Monday and Wednesday daytime free to explore the city in its pre-Christmas style. If you would like reservations for the the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum we will be pleased to arrange these for you.
On Tuesday we head to the charming Dutch capital Den Haag and visit the Mauritshuis - home to iconic 'Dutch masters' including Vermeer's Girl with Pearl Earing and masterworks by Rembrandt, Breughel, Hals & Leyster. Whilst in the Hague we also visit the unique 19th century Panorama Mesdag.
Flights are available from all London and most regional airports. Eurostar from St Pancras involves a change at Brussels on the outward journey but is direct on the return. Let us know where you would like to travel from and we will send you timings.
Deposit £750 plus extra ticket if required, balance due 1st October.
