Welcome to the website of Annechien Koerselman

Photo © Henry Faber

Vocal quintet Wishful Singing and the young energetic ensemble But What About jointly present the tragicomic compelling music theatre performance Charlotte Salomon. Based on the true story, Salomon's colourful visual history of more than 700 paintings and texts comes to life theatrically and tells the moving story of a young woman who, despite challenging circumstances in an increasingly complex world, still manages to stand her ground. Dynamic new music theatre that will premiere during the Septemberme Festival in Amersfoort. Annechien writes the libretto, directs and designs video and light. More information: CHARLOTTE SALOMON

Shockwave is topical music theater about what happens when the climate becomes so confused that you are forced to leave everything behind. This happens to young Janna, who misses the boat and is left behind on an island that is about to be swallowed up by the waves. This fascinating performance for 1 actress, 5 musicians and an imaginary rabbit will premiere in September 2024. Annechien develops the concept, and is the playwright and stage director of the show. More information: SHOCKWAVE

Drawing © Alexander Jansson

At the request of the Bodensee Philharmonic in Constance (DE), Annechien (idea, script, musical dramaturgy and stage direction) is creating a theatrical concert in which the philharmonic orchestra explores Lake Constance like true pioneers. But the lake is not easy to over"sail", and so the musicians are forced to be inventive and imaginative. Eureka! Leave that to the Lake Constance Philharmonic. Premiere October 28, 2024 in Kreuzlingen (Swiss). More information: EUREKA - the pioneers from Lake Constance

Images © WDR / Composition © Annechien Koerselman

For the 7th year in a row, Annechien is directing the popular Konzert mit dem Elefanten at the WDR Cologne. She also designs the light. This year, together with Anke Engelke, André Gatzke and the WDR Funkhausorchestra, she will celebate the 50th birthday of Elefant in an exciting musical way. Premiere November 22, 2025 in Cologne (Germany). More information: BIRTHDAY 50! 

Photo © Ronald Knapp

In 2012 The Musicfactory by Calefax Reed Quintet, which Annechien staged and for which she wrote the script as well, won the Junge Ohrenpreis. Since then the performance literally crosses the world, because the only "spoken" language is music, a language everyone speaks. In 2024 and 2024 the Musicfactory will be performed again in the Netherlands for several times. More information: THE MUSIC FACTORY

Illustration © Laeacco

Child prodigy Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote his works Schauspiel-Ouvertüre and Der Schneemann when he was 13 years old. Based on this, Annechien developed a music theater performance in which not a word is spoken, and music and acting are the only necessary way of communication. At the beginning of 2026, this love fairy tale will revive at the Münchner Philharmoniker. Annechien is responsible for the concept, the scenario, the stage direction and the lightdesign. More information: THE SNOWMAN

Image © unknown

"Lost in the Stars" - a concert that blends classical music, jazz, and cabaret. The Hague String Trio and internationally acclaimed singer Lucy Woodward, along with double bassist and arranger Marijn van Prooijen and drummer Vinsent Planjer, will perform a musical tribute to Kurt Weill and his contemporaries. Well-known songs like "Mack the Knife," "September Song," and "Smile" are given new life in captivating and refined arrangements. Annechien directs and designs the light. More information: LOST IN THE STARS

Poster © Carrie Zwarts/Foto © Anne Claire de Breij

In June 2021, Wishful Singing started the project Sing Strong. Since then, the ensemble has helped many lung covid patients with the help of singing and breathing exercises. Now the ensemble, together with jazz pianist Bert van den Brink, brings the music from this program again to the concert hall. Annechien stages and designs the light. More info: SING STRONG