General Manager Katrien Van Eeckhoutte about season 2025/26
‘More and more and more…’
‘And it became summer…’ Almost half a century ago, Rob De Nijs – now recently deceased – sang his way into light entertainment history with a song about a sultry summer love. He was 16, she was 28. In our five-year ‘Seasons of Life’ cycle we are also entering summer, and love is burning brightly. It devours and it heals, it seeks and it finds, it sings and it stays silent. Ah, love, who could live without it? And once we’ve tasted it, don’t we just yearn for more and more and more?
sightways
‘Ma plus belle histoire d’amour …’
I have to confess: I’m both greedy and generous in love. I have plenty of love for my husband and my children, and for my family and my friends, but even they know that for the past decade or two a piece of my heart has belonged to a handsome, ever-astounding giant, with a terracotta shell and a heart of gold. He is in his twenties, I’m a tad older. He is a lover for all seasons: my Concertgebouw Brugge.
I’m not possessive. I’m happy to share my lover with everyone for whom our arts centre was a love at first sight, or perhaps a smouldering ember that burned brighter day by day. After all, if it were not for you, our audience, our music would evaporate into emptiness, our dancers perform in a void. ‘Ma plus belle histoire d’amour, c’est vous’, French singer Barbara once sang as an ode to her audience. I too – and our 70 permanent and more than 300 casual staff, both in front of and behind the scenes – hold you just as dear. Whether your love is fed in our Concertgebouw café, stimulated by a Circuit tour through our amazing architecture or charmed by our beguiling programme: please know that it is mutual. We love you too. And so, no doubt, do the thousands of artists who fire their cupid’s arrows at you here so passionately every season.
‘There is more to love’
This year let your love of culture be flexible, as lissom as the love in Herman de Coninck’s poetic debut. If you used to adore grandeur, let yourself be tempted by a chamber music tête-à-tête. If you have a regular dance date, step out for a little flirt with a conductor. Say ‘I do’ to an exhibition… but be quick, the images on our walls may well be fleeting. If you find our ‘love exchange’ a little overwhelming, don’t worry, we’ll help you to find the match you seek. In our publications, on our website, on our social media, but also – and preferably! – in person, our employees are happy to play matchmaker. No Minnewater – Lake of Love – too deep between you and our programme.
‘With a little help …’
That ‘true love and healthy relationships are a two-way street’ is a statement to which we are totally committed. The Friendship we enjoy with so many of you is one of give – music, news, encounters – and take – thanks, feedback, loyalty, connection. Our Keys help us to maintain our pianos and look after the young talents who grace our stages. In exchange we introduce them to like-minded people and surprising performances. Sometimes, it feels as if there is a traffic junction beneath our building. Partners and stakeholders stop off here and then set off in a different direction, headed towards new ideas and insights. We, in turn, receive the fresh inspiration and connections that put a spring into our step as we stride out into the city, the country and the world!
We are going to give it and receive it in abundance, that love in all shapes and sizes. From our terracotta heart to yours and back again. All season long. And then more and more and more.
Love calls for wise words – thanks to Barbara, Leonard Nolens, Herman de Coninck and The Beatles.