The Concertgebouw — Attraction in Amsterdam

Absolutely fabulous place to visit, design by the architect Adolf Leonard van Gendt, who has designed a row of landmark buildings in Amsterdam. The Concertgebouw has a great location, next to the Museum of the Modern Art, just on the edge of the Museumplein, close to the Vondel Park. Amazing acoustic! with beautiful decor. As i have heard many times this building has one of the best acoustics in the world, still today, all though it's construction began in 1883. The hall opened on 11 April 1888 with an inaugural concert, in which an orchestra of 120 musicians and a chorus of 500 singers participated, performing works of Wagner, Handel, Bach, and Beethoven. The resident orchestra of the Concertgebouw is the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest), which gave its first concert in the hall on 3 November 1888. Some interesting facts: The Main Hall (Grote Zaal) seats 1,974, and is 44 metres (144 ft) long, 28 metres (92 ft) wide, and 17 metres (56 ft) high. It hosts not only orchestral and operatic performances, but also jazz and world music. In the 60s world famous groups such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Who perform there. One of the most famous concert halls in the world with unparalleled acoustics.What is the secret of the world-famous acoustics of the Main Hall? The architect Adolf Leonard van Gendt was considered by his family to be completely devoid of musical talent, therefore he was able to create a perfectly resonant hall. Event today the most advanced equipment is unable to unmask the secret of the Main Hall’s unparalleled acoustics. Today

We've stayed at the hotel Conservatorium across the road for the last 4 years and we never knew about this magnificent place! I found on trip advisor as places of interest nearby.

I checked out the website and we went to the Wednesday performance (that is free, voluntary donations welcome) you need to be here before 11.15am really to secure a place, limited as you can imagine. First come first to get tickets from box office open at 11.30am. Starts at 12.30. It was so brilliant. The orchestra that played were so "together-tight & on point" they blew us away. So on exit we donated a decent sum as we could and we felt it was worth every penny! We nipped into the cafe which took a while to get seated though plenty of seats and free tables. We got sat at 1.25 and ordered and paid for our drinks on the spot (as I needed painkillers for my back) and it took so long for service we had to rush out as we had booked the tour of the Concert Hall as seen on their website. Our guide was late so we relaxed. Then a lady who does the rota for the guides along and apologised as she is the lady that does the rota and her guide hasn't turned up. However... I think that was great for everybody.. I mean the other guide might be great but she was amazing!!!! Funny, very knowledgeable and personable and had time and lots of effort and personality!!

A great tour was had. So all in all amazing experience and no doubt 100% we will recommend and come back with friends and family.

Orchestra fab! Front of house team fab! Tour boss lady cherry...

The Amsterdam Concertgebouw is a wonderful place to visit on a trip to Amsterdam. The interior of the concert hall is gorgeous and the music is fantastic! If you happen to have time on Wednesdays around lunch time (check the website because sometimes the days change) I definitely recommend taking time to hear the free lunch time concert. On their website it's recommended to arrive around 11:30 so you can line up for a free ticket for the lunchtime concert. I will say that the first time I went there were so many people that when the lines were let into the concert hall we weren't given tickets. However, the second time I attended the lunch time concert it was for a smaller hall for a smaller crowd therefore they let us in the building a little after 11:30 and handed out free tickets. We were then let into the smaller concert hall near 12:30. Children are welcome and lots of families bring their kids. It's an experience for everyone that you...