Royal Conservatoire celebrates 200 years in The Hague
From historic roots to performances across the city, the anniversary year shows how music and dance education connect students with The Hague and the professional field.
In 2026, the Royal Conservatoire marks its 200th anniversary with a year-long programme of concerts and performances across The Hague. The celebrations reflect how music and dance education have evolved, and how students learn in close connection with the city and the professional field.
Two centuries of education and innovation
Founded in 1826, the Royal Conservatoire is the oldest arts academy in the Netherlands. What began as craft-based vocational training has grown into a broad learning environment where artistic excellence, collaboration, and innovation meet.
At its founding, the City of The Hague provided the premises in the former patrician house of Nederburgh at the corner of Hoge Westeinde and Vleersteegh, along with an annual subsidy of 1,200 guilders to support operations. This arrangement lasted until 1840, when the school moved to the building of the Academy of Drawing and Architecture on Prinsessegracht.
From its start, the conservatory's foundational curricula centered on instrumental and vocal studies, including piano, violin, voice, music theory, and composition, alongside orchestral training to foster professional musicianship.
Creative talent at Amare
Notable alumni include Grammy Awards winner, Barbara Hannigan; Cannes International Film Festival award winner, Michel van der Aa; and many more vocalists, composers, conductors, choreographers and artists who have gained recognition on the world stage.
Today, students develop their practice in direct dialogue with audiences and leading cultural institutions. As part of the University of the Arts The Hague, the conservatoire has been based in Amare since 2021, alongside the Residentie Orkest and Nederlands Dans Theater. This shared home brings education and professional practice closer together.
“An anniversary like this is about more than history. It is about what arts education awakens in young people: dedication, imagination, craftsmanship and the ability to work together.”
Lies Colman, Director Royal Conservatoire The Hague
The Hague as a collaborative classroom and stage
The anniversary year opens on 4 March 2026. Hundreds of students perform at unexpected locations across The Hague – including in public spaces, hospitals, and at the beach – turning the city into a stage. These performances reflect how students gain real-world experience during their studies and contribute to the city’s cultural life.
On 8 April 2026, Jubilee Night brings all departments together in one joint production at Amare. Under the artistic direction of Sjaron Minailo, with choreographers Andrea Leine and Harijono Roebana, music and dance students collaborate across disciplines.
A meaningful finale at the Grote Kerk
The celebrations conclude on 17 and 18 October 2026 at the Grote Kerk with Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. The work challenges students both technically and emotionally. By engaging with its message, they explore how art can reflect on society and create connection.
