03.12.2025

OLIVIA VERMEULEN | Debut with the Concertgebouworkest in Amsterdam

For 130 years, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest) has been one of the world's leading orchestras with its inimitable sound. Under the baton of Iván Fischer, with whom she has enjoyed a long and fruitful artistic collaboration, and following several appearances as a singer in the Small Hall of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Dutch mezzo-soprano Olivia Vermeulen now makes her debut as a soloist in the Main Hall in Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

In 1826, at the age of only 17, Mendelssohn composed the overture to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This overture is considered a masterpiece of early Romanticism: shimmering strings and delicate woodwinds depict the world of the elves, while striking themes characterise the romantic entanglements and comical characters of the comedy.

In 1842, Mendelssohn was commissioned to write a complete score for the play. He revisited the musical language of the early overture and added numerous numbers, such as the scherzo, the night song and, above all, the famous wedding march, which later became one of the most frequently performed pieces of festive music ever.

While only excerpts from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed on the first two evenings, with the focus on his famous Violin Concerto in E minor, the work will be presented in its entirety on 6 December as part of the theatre's ‘Essentials’ series.

Cast

Mirella Hagen, soprano
Olivia Vermeulen, mezzo-soprano
Vesko Eschkenazy, violin

Iván Fischer, conductor
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
National Women's Youth Choir