Classical Music at Amstelveld
About the event
In 2026, you can once again enjoy a varied program during Klassiek op het Amstelveld for the 14th consecutive year. Listen to live opera, top international musicians, and up-and-coming talent from home and abroad in the open air. The festival to embrace classical music
For two days, one of the most beautiful squares in the heart of Amsterdam transforms into a large open-air concert hall and opera stage. And just like since the very first edition: the entire festival is free for everyone to attend.
This year, the festival welcomes Anna Fedorova, Carel Kraayenhof, Noa Wildschut, Sasha Witteveen, and Levi Schechtmann, among others, alongside major youth orchestras and a new generation of exceptionally young musicians.
Common thread
A notable common thread is the development of young talent. Noa Wildschut and Sasha Witteveen were both only thirteen years old when they first performed as soloists at Klassiek op het Amstelveld. Levi Schechtmann was 16. Since then, they have built international careers and are returning to the same stage where they stood as young talents.
And the next generation is already ready, with, among others, the eleven-year-old violinist Emanuel Akopian and the twelve-year-old pianist Yulianna Beziazychna.
Saturday program
Moreover, on Saturday, two operas are coming to the Amstelveld in collaboration with the Dutch National Opera Academy: Telemann’s comic Pimpinone and Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, a complete opera lasting only about nine minutes. This allows even someone who may never have visited an opera house before to be unexpectedly introduced to opera right in the middle of the city.
On Saturday evening, Anna Fedorova performs Grieg's Piano Concerto and Carel Kraayenhof presents his Piazzolla programme. True to tradition, the festival concludes with our Grande Finale, in which musicians and audience sing Verdi's Va, pensiero together—a tradition since the first edition and our collective statement for culture.
Visit the festival website for more information and the full program. Admission is free.
