Seizoen 2026-2027: 'Morgen'

ANTWERP – With the presentation of its new 2026-2027 concert season, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is building a hopeful bridge to the future. Under the theme ‘Morgen’, the orchestra presents a resilient commitment to a gentler tomorrow. Furthermore, the new season marks a historic double jubilee and the dawn of a new artistic era under the leadership of the brand-new Chief Conductor, Marc Albrecht.

The duty of optimism: 'A Kinder Tomorrow'

In an era of global unrest, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra resolutely chooses a ‘kinder tomorrow’. Artistic Director Ulrike Niehoff emphasises that this theme reflects a conscious social stance:

“‘Morgen’ is an invitation to look forward together. That is why we have added the subtitle ‘a kinder tomorrow’. It is about an attitude: treating each other with kindness, and paying attention to the world and the people around us,” says Niehoff.

With music by composers such as Tawfiq, Shostakovich, and Korngold – voices that continued to believe in a tomorrow despite exile or oppression – the orchestra pays tribute to human hope.

A new generation: The sound of tomorrow

This season marks the launch of ‘Jonge Impulsen’, a ground-breaking series through which the orchestra literally gives the future a stage. Under the mentorship of composer Annelies Van Parys, young talents will write new, short works that open each concert like a musical burst of energy.

In addition, the orchestra is fully committed to young top-tier soloists who are conquering international stages. Alongside the phenomenal cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the Queen Elisabeth Hall will welcome Dutch pianist Nikola Meeuwsen and Finnish violin talent Lilja Haatainen, among others, this season. They embody the artistic innovation that the orchestra holds dear.

A new artistic course: Marc Albrecht

The 2026-2027 season marks a historic turning point with the arrival of the new Chief Conductor, Marc Albrecht. For Albrecht, the dialogue between tradition and innovation is at the heart of his mission. In this regard, he refers to a famous quote by Gustav Mahler:

“Tradition is the passing on of the fire, not the worship of the ashes. You must know and respect tradition, but if you only keep repeating what has always been done, music loses its vitality,” says Albrecht.

His inaugural concert featuring Mahler's monumental Third Symphony on 3 October promises to be a powerful statement from an orchestra in motion.

International guest orchestras

As the resident orchestra of the Queen Elisabeth Hall, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra serves not only as a guardian of the classical repertoire but also as a host to the world’s elite. In 2026-2027, Antwerp audiences will once again enjoy concerts featuring international stars and guest orchestras.

Some of the absolute highlights on the calendar include:

• Midori and the Bamberger Symphoniker (16 October 2026)
• Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra (21 November 2026)
• The Royal Concertgebouw orchestra and Sheku Kanneh-Mason (18 December 2026)
• Kirill Petrenko and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (21 June 2027)

Context and enrichment

A concert with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is more than just a listening experience. Through an extensive range of supporting activities, the threshold to classical music is lowered and the experience deepened. From inspiring introductions and Artist Talks with conductors and soloists to open rehearsals, yoga sessions, and workshops: the orchestra is building a community where dialogue takes centre stage.

Triple jubilee in the Golden Hall

The orchestra has plenty of reasons to celebrate this year: the ensemble’s seventieth anniversary, the 150th anniversary of Queen Elisabeth’s birth, and the tenth anniversary of the Queen Elisabeth Hall as its permanent home. In just ten years, the ‘Golden Hall’ has become the engine behind the orchestra’s artistic growth and international prestige.

Connecting beyond the concert hall

Next season, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra will strengthen its bond with the city, including a collaboration with Antwerp’s City Poet, Esohe Weyden, on 4 December. Niehoff emphasises that the concert hall fulfils a crucial function in today's society:

“In my view, an orchestra and the music it performs are not a luxury. They provide a necessary space for reflection and connection. When people in the hall listen, breathe, and feel together, our mission has been accomplished,” says Niehoff.