Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [137]
Beurs van Berlage Damrak 277 (Old Centre) 020/521 7575, www.berlage.com. The splendid interior of the former stock exchange s the setting for regular exhibitions and concerts, though nowadays it’s used more for conferences. The resident Netherlands Philharmonic rehearse in the huge Amvest Zaal, the former Corn Exchange Hall, a glassed-in pavilion. The glass-roofed Yakult Zaal (Main Hall) was the location for the royal wedding of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima in 2002.
Carré Theater Amstel 115–125 (Grachtengordel south) 020/524 9452, www.theatercarre.nl. This splendid late nineteenth-century structure (originally built for a circus) represents the ultimate venue for Dutch folk artists, and hosts all kinds of international performances: anything from Antony and the Johnsons to Carmen, with reputable touring orchestras and opera companies squeezed in between.
Carré Theater
Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2–6 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/671 8345, www.concertgebouw.nl. Hearing a concert at the Concertgebouw, one of the most impressive looking – and sounding – venues in the city, is a great experience, especially when the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra put on one of their regular performances. The acoustics of the Grote Zaal (Great Hall) are unparalleled, while the smaller Kleine Zaal regularly hosts chamber concerts.Though both halls boast a star-studded international programme, prices are very reasonable, ranging from €15 to €50 (€15 for the sponsored Sunday-morning events, June–Sept). Free Wednesday lunchtime concerts are held from Sept to May (doors open 12.15pm; arrive early), and in July and Aug there’s a heavily subsidized series of summer concerts. Look out also for occasional world music and swing/jazz nights.
Engelse Kerk Begijnhof 48 (Old Centre) 020/624 9665. The church with the biggest programme: three to four performances a week, usually Fri, Sat & Sun (performances at 3.15pm or 8.15pm). Tickets are available from the church 30min before the start of performance or in advance from the Uitburo (see "Information").
Marionetten Theater Nieuwe Jonkerstraat 8 (Old Centre) 020/620 8027, www.marionettentheater.nl. Maintains an old European tradition with its performances of operas by Mozart and Offenbach. Although they tour the Netherlands and the rest of Europe for most of the year, the wooden marionettes return to Amsterdam in spring, October and Christmas. Call for details of performances, and to find out about their opera dinners.
Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1 (Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands) 020/788 2000, www.muziekgebouw.nl. East of Centraal Station, Amsterdam’s newest concert hall for over a hundred years, with two new medium-sized concert halls, a café, bar and state-of-the-art acoustics, has given new impetus to the redevelopment going on along the IJ. Its top-quality programme of opera and orchestral music draws a highbrow crowd to this part of town. Worth a visit for the building alone; the café offers great views over the water. The same development also includes the relocated Bimhuis.
Muziektheater Waterlooplein 22 (Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands) 020/625 5455, www.hetmuziektheater.nl. Part of the €150 million complex that includes the city hall. The theatre’s resident company, Netherlands Opera, offers the fullest, and most reasonably priced, programme of opera in Amsterdam; not surprisingly, tickets go very quickly.
Oude Kerk Oudekerksplein 23 (Old Centre) 020/625 8284, www.oudekerk.nl. Hosts organ and carillon recitals, as well as occasional choral events.
Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26 (Grachtengordel south) 020/624 2311, www.ssba.nl. Somewhat overshadowed by the Muziektheater these days, but still staging significant opera, theatre and dance, as well as occasionally hosting visiting English-language theatre companies. At the time of writing, the construction of their newest concert hall, which will be built over the roof of the Melkweg, was in progress.
Waalse Kerk Oudezijds Achterburgwal 159 (Old Centre) 020/623 2074, www.waalsekerk-amsterdam.nl.