On the 26th of August LUDWIG Orchestra and soprano Barbara Hannigan will present a spectacular evening filled with music and dance at the Onderzeebootloods in Rotterdam.
The evening will kick-off with the Dutch premiere of La Voix Humaine, a stunning live performance supported by visuals in which Hannigan both sings and conducts. After that, it’s party time! LUDWIG’s Ballroom Band featuring Barbara Hannigan and the Berlage Saxophone Quartet present a celebration of dance music from the 20th century, from Viennese waltz to Cha-cha-cha with hits like Youkali, Copacabana, I could have danced all night and last but not least Fluffy Ruffles – bring along your dancing shoes and enjoy a wonderful evening by the riverside!

La Voix Humaine

Barbara Hannigan on the podium with Strauss Metamorphosen and Poulenc’s opera La Voix Humaine, as both conductor and soprano. A double bill about personal and universal transition where the sombre and reflective intensity of Strauss’ late masterpiece for 23 strings is paired with Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine, with text by Jean Cocteau, in which we witness a one-sided words of a woman (“Elle”) who desperately tries to come to terms with a failed love affair, real or imagined. The performance centres around themes of love and loss, loneliness, isolation and power.

Ballroom dancing: Dance with me

The second part of the evening will revolve around ballroom dancing! The audience will be treated to a one-off presentation of our ballroom cd Dance with me. LUDWIG’s Ballroom Band featuring Barbara Hannigan and the Berlage Saxophone Quartet present a celebration of dance music from the 20th century, from Viennese waltz to Cha-cha-cha with hits like Youkali, Copacabana, I could have danced all night and last but not least Fluffy Ruffles! Bring along your dancing shoes and enjoy a wonderful evening by the riverside!

Through the Looking Glass 2023: Sneak-preview

In 2023 we present the first edition of Through the Looking Glass, a festival and platform for creativity and imagination that revolves around new perspectives and strives for impact that supports sustainable transition. Together with partners from various disciplines and sectors we visualise the world of tomorrow and reflect  the international reputation of Rotterdam as a future-proof, cultural and innovative world port city. Tonight we raise the curtain on the ideas and outline that shape this first edition.