In the summer of 2024, Accademia Amsterdam presented a festive programme with cantatas for solo soprano and orchestra. Soprano Johannette Zomer excelled in a wedding cantata by Bach and in the motet "Silete Venti" by Händel. Both bassoonist Jos Lammerse, principal bassoonist fo the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, and Onno Verschoor, artistic leader of Accademia Amsterdam played as soloists in the double concerto by Telemann for recorder and bassoon.

The concert took place in the Zeeuwse Concertzaal and was part of a river cruise for classical music lovers, organised by travel agency Hannick Reizen. For many of the guests this concert was one of the high-lights of the concert programme.

The ensemble, consisting of oboe, bassoon, six violins, two violas, violoncello, violone, theorbo and harpsichord, accompanied soprano Johannette Zomer in an harmonious way. The  the mutual musical enjoyment was evident and inspired the public.

One of the visitors expressed it quite well:

"The concert with Accademia was for me the highlight and in that sense "excellent". I think it also demanded the most from the musicians because of the heat in the Zeeuwse Concertzaal, Middelburg. And then to keep playing so beautifully (Onno Verschoor on baroque oboe) and singing (Johannette Zomer)"

Accademia Amsterdam is familiar with the beautiful acoustics of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. In the first years of existence of the orchestra already, we performed the St. Matthew Passion of Johann Sebastian Bach in this historic venue. It was Willem Mengelberg who founded in 1899 the annual Concertgebouw tradition of performing the Bach's most famous passion. Accademia Amsterdam helps to continue this tradition on 24 March 2024 with a performance on historical instruments, in collaboration with the Amsterdam KCOV Excelsior choir.

Have a look at the poster here

But it's not the only work that Accademia Amsterdam performs in this historic concert hall. In April 2023, we performed Haydn's Seasons, with the Amsterdam Mixed Choir conducted by Paul Valk.

Some appreciations of listeners and choir members:

"What an extraordinary experience last night! We enjoyed it immensely! And our conductor Paul Valk also looks back with satisfaction and pleasure on the performance, the preparations and the wonderful collaboration."

"I'm so glad I could be there this time. Had a 'goosebumps' moment several times."

16 Friends came to the "borgo" of the arts to sing, and to enjoy together

In August 2021, Accademia Amsterdam compiled a week full of activities in Deruta, Umbria (Italy)

Tutor Antonio Magarelli coached the singers with Italian vocal music, as it was on their wish-list

In 2019, 16 Dutch friends asked us if we could organise an inspiring week full of singing, excursions and good food in Italy. Of course we were pleased to make their dream come true!

At the day of arrival, we organised a shuttle bus to bring some of the the guests from the airport of Assisi-Perugia to Deruta, a 15 minute trip. At arrival, other friends who came by car of train where already waiting in this medieval town of majolica ceramics. Members of Accademia Amsterdam and local hosts were receiving them in bed and breakfasts in the historical centre. After a traditional "aperitivo", the friends had a wonderful dinner on the terrace of a local restaurant on the main square. Here, they were treated to a concert with joyful Italian music.

Every morning, an Italian breakfast was awaiting the friends on the terrace of the local caffè. Having had their perfect Italian coffee, the singers joined rehearsals in a beautiful small church, led by the professional conductor and coach Antonio Magarelli. After just a few days the results were audible, and the participants surpassed themselves in their level.

You can read here what an inspiring week in Deruta can look like, but the variations are plenty! Just ask us for possibilities.

15 Friends came together to sing, and to remember their "Deam Course" in Italy

The end of September 2023, Accademia Amsterdam organised a long weekend to sing and to revive Italian memories

Tutor Antonio Magarelli coached singers with Italian vocal music, as it was on their wish-list.

In 2021, Accademia Amsterdam organised an inspiring week full of singing, excursions and good food in Italy, to make the dream of the 15 Dutch come true!

In 2023 however, they gathered in The Netherlands in a dedicated cultural center in the middle of the woods of Ede, "Akoesticum". Even if we couldn't offer the same (culinair) experience as in Italy, we are convinced that we did offer a rich experience to these music-lovers. The location offers everything the one needs to make music together and even a complete catering. At the end of the weekend, the singers had a final musical closing dinner, where they presented themselves to relatives and friends.

You can read here what an inspiring week in Deruta can look like, but the variations are plenty! Just ask us for possibilities.

In 2024, our Summer Courses become Spring Courses

We organize our courses at the end of spring, which is the ideal time of year in Italy to engage in cultural activities.

Making music together, taking photos, drawing & painting or cooking Italian dishes under the guidance of enthusiastic tutors.

We invite you to live an unforgettable week, full with artistic and culinary experiences. Be our guest in one of the "borghi più belli d'Italia" in the cultural and green heart of Italy: Umbria. Our courses start on Tuesday 30 april, and we conclude with a participant's presentation on Sunday 5 May.

For the first time, we invited two inspiring photographers to give courses in photography. Read more about these challenging courses below.

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In a cold church, the "Grote Kerk" at Dordrecht, Accademia Amsterdam performed the famous Stabat Mater by Pergolesi. Soloists were Sytse Buwalda (countertenor) and Marjon Strijk (soprano). Before this famous master piece, the Bach-organ, situated in the Maria Chapel of the church, sounded in full glory in an organ concerto by Handel. The organist of the church, Cor Ardesch, played this impressive instrument.

But the cold didn't demoralise the attentive listeners, all guests of Hannick Music Travels, who joined a musical cruise on the rivers of the Netherlands. We heard only enthusiastic comments on the performance, which was lively and with integrity. After a long period of absence on stage, due to the Covid-restrictions, we were so happy to perform in public again! This was noted by the public, and added to the atmosphere and the expressiveness of the performance. This moved the audience to tears.