Royal Conservatoire The Hague celebrates its 200th anniversary with an evening of discovery, artistic excellence and outstanding talent on stage.

At the Danstheater in Amare, all generations perform side by side: from pupils of the School for Young Talent to bachelor’s and master’s students and doctoral candidates.

The programme connects two centuries of music and dance, ranging from baroque to jazz, from sonology to opera and contemporary dance. Large ensembles alternate with more intimate moments. Ninety dancers share the stage, sixteen voices sing a cappella, and wind players engage in a musical dialogue as they move through the space. Music by Louis Andriessen also features in this evening’s performance.

Director Sjaron Minailo and choreographers Andrea Leine and Harijono Roebana are responsible for the artistic direction. This anniversary production will be performed once only, exclusively in The Hague.

Vesper is a composition by the Greek-Dutch composer Calliope Tsoupaki, who served as the Dutch Composer Laureate (Componist des Vaderlands) from 2019 to 2021, is written for female choir, with phrases from Saint Nektarios Hymans to Maria. Tsoupaki is known for her ability to “make time stand still.” Her Vesper (Latin for ‘evening’ or ‘evening star’) is a meditative work that aligns with the centuries-old tradition of evening prayer. It is often performed in settings of reflection or consolation.