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opening Holland Festival 2026

City of Floating Sounds

Huang Ruo, Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen

For the festive opening of the Holland Festival, Amsterdam transforms into one vibrant piece of music. With City of Floating Sounds by Huang Ruo, visitors become part of a moving orchestra.


From various starting points across the city, audiences walk towards Koninklijk Theater Carré. Using a specially developed app, you follow one of the musical lines from Huang Ruo’s new composition, performed by the BBC Philharmonic. As the different groups gradually converge, the separate musical layers blend into a rich and dynamic soundscape. What you hear depends on the route you take and the people you encounter along the way, turning the city itself into a stage.


Upon arrival at Carré, the music continues. What you experienced through the app now unfolds live, performed by Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen. This is followed by the festival’s official opening moment and a performance of Shattered Steps, inspired by Huang Ruo’s vocal improvisations.


The walking portion of this special performance begins at 7:30 PM somewhere near Carré. The live concert starts at 8:45 PM and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. Further details will be sent to ticket holders prior to the event.

dates

Wed June 3 7:30 PM

prices

  • default from € 25
  • CJP € 21,50
  • HF Young from € 19,50
  • youth under 18 € 16,50

information

  • 2 hours 30 minutes

more info

Credits

composition Huang Ruo conductor Martijn DenDievel performed by Flanders Symphony Orchestra app-development ECHOES (Josh Kopeček) music on the app is performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra production Factory International commissioned by Factory International, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, National Taichung Theater (Taiwan), West Kowloon Cultural District