Noa Wildschut in Saint-Saëns’ Vioolconcert nr. 3 & Andrew Grams dirigeert Carmen

With Bizet's Carmen Suite and Saint-Saëns' Third Violin Concerto performed by Noa Wildschut, we remain in warm, Southern European atmospheres for a little while longer, right after the summer holidays. Both French composers in this opening concert of the new season of Het Zondagochtend Concert were inspired by fiery Spanish passion. Bizet's Carmen

With his opera about Carmen, the fiery Spanish man-eater, Bizet strung together one passionate scene after another. Carmen's desire to make her own choices in life and love comes at a high price, as the dutiful armyman Don José and the proud Toreador vie for her love. Frenchman Bizet knew better than anyone how to give voice to fiery Spanish passion. The Suite features the most beautiful and famous melodies from the opera.

Noa Wildschut plays Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3

We are so impressed by the young Dutch star violinist Noa Wildschut that we invited her twice this season to the Sunday Morning Concert. Saint-Saëns' romantic, beautifully melodic Third Violin Concerto is one of Noa's favorites: 'It is such a special work; it always makes me very happy. The second movement is so pure; you really have to open your heart in it. That is a moment to dream away for a while. The third movement, on the other hand, is enormously spectacular. Yes, I am really looking forward to it!'