imaginative musical theater about feelings of homesickness and making weatherproof plans for the future (6+)
The water is rising and fast as well. Janna and her parents have to leave their country. Packed and ready, they step into the boat that will take them to the other side, to a new life. But to her horror, Janna discovers that her rabbit Marietje is not on board. Without even thinking, she jumps back onto land. And so begins a musical search across her native land for her beloved bunny. Across places from the past, via miraculous encounters with a woodworm, a herring king and a lighthouse keeper's cat, until after a dive she finally ends up with Marietje in the land of the future.
With a lot of humor and a touch of Alice in Wonderland, Ensemble Black Pencil, together with actress Yara Alink, brings the history of Schokland musically to life. Once an island in the Zuiderzee, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shockwave is an imaginative musical theater performance about what happens when the climate becomes so confused that you are forced to leave everything behind. About saying goodbye to the old and making weatherproof plans for the future. About the power of imagination and the magic of music, which can tame waves, raise landscapes to the sky, and package beautiful memories in such a way that you can never lose them.
Photo © Claudia Hansen
Credits Cast & Crew
Video © Kees Jongboom
Reviews
De Theaterkrant, Sander Janssens, February 24, 2025
With threatening sighing sounds and squeaking whistles, music collective Black Pencil immediately blows a storm over the stage. Beautifully dissonant sounds are pressed from an accordion, brushing wind carries away from the sound box of a violin.
The main strength of this small, three-quarters of an hour show is in the interaction between the clear, down-to-earth acting of Alink, and the five musicians on the stage. Her parents are sad-left alone on the boat – can be heard in the comfort of the violin playing and the deep, familiar sounds of the accordion. Janna's inner turmoil, sways in the nervous percussion.
Entire worlds [are] evoked: from a fish dance in a mysterious underwater world to the posh mayoral village of Middelbuurt, where stately organ-like sounds from the accordion evoke the expensive houses and large churches.
Hanna van der Woude, September 26, 2024
An ode to the childish imagination
Queen of Tango
Since Máxima's famous tear to the melancholic strains of Astor Piazzolla's Adios Nonino, Piazzolla's music captivated the entire Dutch population overnight. Now, 25 years later, his renowned tango opera MARIA DE BUENOS AIRES is finally being performed again in the Netherlands. More relevant than ever, and in a brand-new format! The Netherlands Saxophone Octet was the first Dutch ensemble to receive the rights from Piazzolla's heirs to adapt the piece for eight saxophones, voice, text, bandoneon, piano, and percussion.
Alongside the eight saxophonists—also tango dancers—mezzo-soprano and crowd-favorite Karin Strobos shines as the combative Maria de Buenos Aires, baritone and opera hero Berend Eijkhout as her vigilant male counterpart, and Freek den Hartogh as the idealistic Duende. And what would an inspired tango opera be without the bandoneon and dance? Maria de Buenos Aires therefore features the Argentinian musicians Santiago Cimadevilla (bandoneon), Juan Pablo Dobal (piano), and Marcos Baggioni (percussion), both of whom have had success in the Netherlands. The tango duo Ezequiel Paludi & Geraldine Rojas also impresses with their equally passionate and graceful dancing.
Maria de Buenos Aires is a story full of emotion and melancholy, but above all, of courage, hope, and inspiration… For isn't living from inspiration the essence of our existence? The Duende rebels against the way the world works, with the rich getting richer and the poor struggling to make ends meet. Through Maria, he tries to touch the souls of these wealthy individuals, but they see only the lucrative potential of Maria's singing and tango talent. There seems to be no emotion. They seek to exploit the queen of tango purely for commercial purposes. And there, the Duende draws a line. He intervenes decisively, with all the consequences.
Photo © Aldo Sessa
Credits Cast & Crew
In the Zoo (The City - Participatory concert 1)
Schnabeli, a cheerful little colorful bird, is looking for a friend. And where better to find one than in a zoo? But there are so many different animals there, and they all sing so differently. Until suddenly, Tschuppi appears. Tschuppi and Schnabeli decide they want to get to know each other better, but in a zoo, you are never alone. The sounds the animals make seem to come from all over the world. Not only when they sleep, but also when they eat and play. Wherever the birds want to land, it's chaos. Or could Tschuppi and Schnabeli turn it into a resounding animal orchestra?
In the spacious Upper Foyer of the Berlin Philharmonie's Chamber Music Hall, the space itself becomes a playmate. Here, laughter, dancing, clapping, and listening are all encouraged. The youngest guests have the best seats on comfortable cushions: right next to the stage, at the heart of the musical action. No words are needed. Two performers tell stories through dance and play, sparking the children's imaginations. Music becomes movement, movement becomes music. The musical quality is of the highest caliber. Members of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Karajan Academy unfold a dazzling soundscape and showcase the rich palette of orchestral instruments. Participation is expressly encouraged for the entire audience.
Image © Annechien Koerselman, with support from AI
Credits Cast & Crew
Dance Carley Marholin, Giordan Cruz
Musicians Members of the Berlin Philharmonic
Concept, Script & Musical dramaturgy Annechien Koerselman
Stage direction Annechien Koerselman
Choreography Carley Marholin, Giordan Cruz
Costume- & Setdesign Julia Schnittger
Lightdesign Annechien Koerselman
Management Musiceducation Katja Frei
Organisation Berlin Philharmonic Berlin (DE)
CALENDAR
Berlin (DE) Berliner Philharmonie November 14, 2026 10.00 & 11.30h
Berlin (DE) Berliner Philharmonie November 15, 2026 10.00 & 11.30h
Berlin (DE) Berliner Philharmonie November 16, 2026 09.30 & 11.30h
More information: Berliner Philharmoniker
sixteenth elephantastic children's concert
Red candles, gingerbread, Advent wreath and wonderful Christmas music – together with you and his friends André, Hase and Knolle, the elephant gets in the mood for the Christmas season.
Anke Engelke and André Gatzke have been discovering the world of music together with Elephant and Hase and the WDR Funkhausorchestra since 2011. From 2026 onwards, Elephant will continue to explore this wondrous world together with André Gatzke, Knolle and of course Hase. Each year they focus on a different sound theme, such as the musical animal melodies in the concert Something animalistic (Tierisch was los), classic party hits in Birthdayparty (Geburtstagparty), songs around the universe in Space, oceansounds Under Water, the musical and acrobatic world in the circus, travel melodies that lead into the Mountains and festive music for the elephant's 50th Birthday. Christmas is a theatrical concert for the little ones to marvel, listen and to participate.
llustration © WDR
Credits Cast & Crew
A hopeful fairy tale
Zafferano – a traveling salesman of spices and troubadour – has been chasing a legend for years that tells of a tiny village on an almost unfindable bay somewhere in the heel of Italy's boot. The handful of inhabitants communicate with each other by singing, and the most delicious bread in the world is baked there. No one from the modern world has ever tasted that bread, and no one has ever heard the inhabitants sing. Until now. With the arrival of this traveler, not only the status quo but also the peace and unity within the small community of Camini Nacrosti are shattered. The clams in the traditional soup no longer open, and the yeast in the bread dies. Nothing works according to the familiar recipe anymore. Now that hunger is knocking at the door, they begin to turn against one another. History seems to be repeating itself...
How people deal with change and its (social) consequences is a timeless and relevant theme that aligns closely with Apple Pie Concerts' mission to present an accessible and layered work to a broad audience. The apple pie symbolizes the warm, relaxed, and safe atmosphere that characterizes our concerts. The Hidden Bay is therefore a hopeful fairy tale. Precisely now that society is hardening, Apple Pie Concerts consciously chooses a gentle counter-movement: a newly created musical-theatrical experience that slows down, connects, and makes room for empathy and closeness. The stranger ultimately turns out to carry the solution that makes the food tasty again.
Apple Pie Concerts Foundation brings classical music to people for whom the concert hall presents a high barrier, literally or figuratively. Under the motto 'classical for everyone', Apple Pie Concerts performs approximately 220 highly varied concerts and music theatre performances annually in (neighbourhood) theatres, community centres, churches, and nursing homes throughout a large part of the Netherlands.
Credits Cast & Crew
Musical journey from Berlin to Broadway, from classical to jazz
This surprising concert transports the listener to the music of Kurt Weill and his contemporaries, blending classical music, jazz, and cabaret, from Berlin to Hollywood and Broadway, featuring lyricists like Bertold Brecht, Ogden Nash, and Maxwell Anderson. Featuring beloved classics like "Alabama Song," "September Song," "Lost in the Stars," and Charlie Chaplin's nostalgic "Smile. The composers of these songs came from turbulent times, when some were forced to flee persecution and emigrate in search of a better life.
The Hague String Trio (Justyna Briefjes, Julia Dinerstein, and Miriam Kirby) will perform, featuring singer Lucy Woodward, double bassist and arranger Marijn van Prooijen, and drummer Vinsent Planjer. Annechien Koerselman will stage the concert, and Nina Kraszewska will be in charge as soundengineer. Lucy Woodward has previously worked with Rod Stewart and Snarky Puppy, among others, and performed with numerous international jazz ensembles. The Hague String Trio recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is known for its multi-layered interplay and acclaimed CDs. Marijn van Prooijen and Vinsent Planjer bring their rich backgrounds in classical, world music, and jazz to the mix, creating a moving and virtuoso ensemble.
Photo © De Schaapjesfabriek
Credits Cast & Crew
Prepublicity
Den Haag CS, Frans van Hilten, January 15, 2026
'Lost in the Stars' honors composers in exile.
The various musicians gathered songs, and stage director Annechien Koerselman combined them into a six-part story, exploring themes such as war, threat, and hope. Each part consists of spoken word and several songs.
Annechien Koerselman drew inspiration from Art Deco in the design. "For example, by placing gold-colored lamps at different heights and a number of bar stools on the stage."
musictheater for the young and old (6+)
Premiere May 29, 2010, Concertgebouw Amsterdam
The five men of Calefax are working in a pipe factory. Every day they do the same work and it seems just fine. The panic is huge when one day no more orders are coming in anymore. The men decide to experiment with the pipes and create the strangest instruments, which also happen to sound very nice! The orders are pouring in again and the Music Factory is a fact.
In 2012 The Musicfactory won the Junge Ohren Preis. Since then this performance in which music is the only spoken language spoken travels around the world. From China to South America. From North America to Europe.
Photo © Ronald Knapp
Credits Cast & Crew
Reviews
NRC Handelsblad, Jochem Valkenburg, December 28, 2010
Playing on PVC pipes as if they were little panflutes. "Hey, beautiful music!", shouts a girl in the hall when the five in overall dresses factoryworkers make a great discovery on stage. It turns out that they can play on the pvc pipes which they work with as panflutes, each one or two notes, but all combined a complete piece of music. It is one of the many enchanting moments in this merry music performance The Musicfactory by Calefax Reed Quintet. In the beginning diligently and in a tight rhythm the five built crazy tubeconstruction. Along the way they discover the music, at first while improvising on tools and materials, later on their real instruments.
The children's performance for children from six is perfectly drawn up. No word is spoken, but the five musicians turn out to be talented mimes, which in gesture and music can tell a humorous and touching story about social relationships. The saxophonist of the group plays a stubborn dandy, the rest try to tame by playing. Meanwhile, music from Bach to contemporary sounds, which is played equally sparkling as virtuoso. The end is a good example of cultural entrepreneurship: the musicians connect the instruments to a device out of which cd's unroll. For 10 euros each, they sell fast.
De Telegraaf, Frederike Berntsen, December 09, 2010
The prestigious German Junge Ohren Preis 2012 (JOP!) Best Practice – Concert for the best youth musical performances, was assigned to The Musicfactory, a coproduction of Oorkaan and Calefax Reed Quintet!
Jury report Junge Ohren Award, Hamburg, November 16, 2012
Best Practice, Concert: Winner is the Project „Musikfabrik“. (Original: De Muziekfabriek), a production by Oorkaan in cooperation with the Calefax Reed Quintet, Amsterdam
Der Preis für das überzeugendste Musikvermittlungsprojekt für junges Publikum im Bereich Konzert geht an das Projekt Die Musikfabrik des Produktionshauses Oorkaan. Musikfabrik gibt en passant einen faszinierenden und spritzig präsentierten Blick in die Geschichte, Bauweise und Spieltechnik der Holzblasinstrumente und in musikalische Kommunikationsformen. Die Strukturen der eingebundenen Kompositionen und Musikstile werden nonverbal in einer spannenden Bühnenhandlung für Kinder erfahrbar gemacht. Das Projekt regt zum Staunen und Experimentieren an und ist darin modellhaft.
The Music Factory as newsitem on the Chinese National Television (May 8, 2013)