The Residentie Orkest plays a strong role in supporting The Hague’s wider profile, and since 2021 has been located in the Amare, the new performing arts centre of the city. The orchestra can also be frequently heard at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht and De Doelen in Rotterdam, and often collaborates with Dutch classical radio and the Dutch National Opera.

Since its first concert in 1904, the Residentie Orkest has developed into one of the most prominent symphony orchestras in the Netherlands. Founded by Dr Henri Viotta, it attracted composers such as Strauss, Stravinsky, Reger, Ravel, Hindemith and d’Indy. Guest conductors have included Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein and Hans Knappertsbusch. Willem van Otterloo was chief conductor from 1949 to 1973, and he was succeeded by Jean Martinon, Ferdinand Leitner, Hans Vonk, Evgeny Svetlanov, Jaap van Zweden, Neeme Järvi, Nicholas Collon and Anja Bihlmaier.

The orchestra has built up a rich discography with labels such as BIS, Chandos, Challenge Records, Deutsche Grammophon and Naxos, and has toured internationally. Jun Märkl has served as chief conductor since 2025. Richard Egarr is currently principal guest conductor, and Chloe Rooke is emerging artist-in-residence.

www.residentieorkest.nl

Photo: Wouter Vellekoop