Beethoven's Ninth with Sinfonia Rotterdam

Sinfonia Rotterdam brings Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to the Grote Zaal at de Doelen, filling the Rotterdam concert hall with one of the most recognisable works in the classical repertoire. Under the direction of Conrad van Alphen, more than 120 musicians and singers join forces for a performance of the symphony whose final movement, the “Ode to Joy”, has been used as the European Union’s anthem since 1972. The music is often associated with ideas of freedom, peace and solidarity, which gives the evening an extra layer of meaning in Rotterdam’s city centre. 

The programme opens with composer Maessen’s Christmas Carol Suite before moving to Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, a piece that combines lyrical passages and virtuoso writing for solo violin. After the interval, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 crowns the evening. Sinfonia Rotterdam is joined by the Octopus Symphonic Choir, choir director Bart van Reyn and four vocal soloists connected with the International Vocal Competition, with extra support from stage players from Codarts and the Royal Conservatoire. 

Details

• Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025
• Time: 20:15
• Location: Grote Zaal, de Doelen, Schouwburgplein 50, Rotterdam
• Tickets: €11.50–€62, ticket price including €3 / €1.50 service costs 
• Programme: Maessen Christmas Carol Suite; Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64; Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 
• Performers: Sinfonia Rotterdam; Conrad van Alphen (conductor); Octopus Symphonic Choir; Bart van Reyn (choir director); Edwin Eung Soo Kim (violin); soloists Esther Kouwenhoven (soprano), Deirdre Angenent (mezzo-soprano), Sander de Jong (tenor), Hans Voschezang (baritone) 
• Genre: Classical, symphonic, choral