About Classical Encounters

Groundbreaking programs in extraordinary venues
Chamber music thrives in an intimate setting. The festival incorporates chamber music venues such as the  New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)  in the Hague and the Duivenvoorde Castle but has also previously been on less obvious locations, such as the Power Plant, the Union, museums, and the beautiful hidden Spanish Court townhouse (Spaansche Hof). Classical Encounters also chooses locations that are normally not accessible by the public, such as living rooms and embassies. We try to give a little bit extra with each concer, everyone will have more adventure than what they are used to.

Informal ambiance and engaged public
Although we cherish an attentive public, the ambiance is informal on purpose. The musicians have personal contact with the visitors, play at the homes of music lovers (Hague Living Rooms), the public sometimes sits around the musicians, and youngsters play together under the guidance of professionals in the Viotta Youth Orchestra.

Room for spontaneity
Music is better done justice when (professional) musicians exceed themselves. If musicians play on routine – no matter how professionally – sparks do not fly easily. That is why Eva Stegeman gladly takes festival musicians outside of their comfort zone. She has a large international network of top musicians and carefully selects the talents and personalities that are a good match for each other; in this way, the total is more than the sum of its parts. They intensively rehearse together for several days for a concert. Such a ‘pressure cooker’ delivers a unique result that is clearly different from the work of ensembles that play together year in, year out. Furthermore, the festival is known for bringing musicians to the Netherlands who were on the threshold of an international breakthrough.