10-03-2022 (11:10) – Music

In honor of Simon & Garfunkel, Nick & Simon VriendenLoterij ZomerConcerten will open with the Metropole Orchestra on July 1. Thus, the Royal Concertgebouw marks the start of the musical summer as usual. With over 2,500 musicians from all over the world, from soloists to symphony orchestras, from jazz trios to singers and songwriters, and from diverse musical backgrounds.

opening ceremony

With the inaugural concert on July 1, Nick & Simon is once again following in the footsteps of their Simon & Garfunkel shows. This legendary American duo performed singing on May 2, 1970 at the Concertgebouw during one of the infamous nightlife parties.

Nick the painter: “It’s great to play Simon & Garfunkel’s music in The Concertgebouw with the amazing Metropole Orkest. So far we’re trying to follow in their footsteps again, because they’ve also played in The Concertgebouw themselves!” In order to make the concert accessible to as many enthusiasts as possible, it is also presented as a live broadcast.

2500 musicians, 75 concerts and 27 orchestras

After two editions with restrictions, VriendenLoterij ZomerConcerten will return in the summer of 2022 for a big release. Concertgebouw welcomes over 2,500 musicians for a total of 75 concerts. Symphony orchestras come to Amsterdam from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and even South America. This also includes eight youth orchestras such as the European Union Youth Orchestra, the USA National Youth Orchestra and Philharmonic Joven de Colombia. In addition to beloved acts like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, there are seven cinematic concerts on the program this year as well.

Highlights

The Jazz Orchestra of Concertgebouw and singer Sabrina Starke will pay homage to Nina Simone. There is also a selection of young talents. Think soprano Laetitia Girardes, singer Nay Barghouti, shinki! Junior Orchestra, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, violinists Randall Gosby and Noua Wildshot, cellists Victor Julien Laverre and Abel Slukoy, and pianist Alexandre Cantoro. There’s also plenty of movie music to listen to, like Star Wars Return of the Jedi (with the movie on the big screen), a tribute to John Williams and the soundtrack to superhero movies.