Cabaret performer and writer Vincent Bijlo is the great-grandson of H.P. Berlage. From him, he inherited the belief that art should speak to the world we live in — a conviction shared by the Berlage Saxophone Quartet. Together, they join forces for a new production that reflects on the ideals of past and present.
The vision of Berlage - with Vincent Bijlo
With music by, among others, Bach, Debussy and Roukens, spoken word by Vincent Bijlo, and visuals by Jurjen Alkema, the Pantheon rises on stage — inviting reflection on the role of art in society.
concert dates“What would happen if we were to build the Pantheon after all, and present it to humanity? Would it spark a sense of unity? Would it bring peace any closer?”
About The Vision of Berlage and the collaboration
What happens when music and architecture meet? In The Vision of Berlage, the Berlage Saxophone Quartet presents an inspiring tribute to their namesake Hendrik Berlage, who famously stated that “architecture is frozen music, and music is liquid architecture.”
The musicians of the Berlage Saxophone Quartet first heard Vincent Bijlo tell the story of the Pantheon in a broadcast of Panorama Zondag on NPO Klassiek. “Over the years, we had come up with all kinds of ideas for a tribute to Berlage, such as performing concerts in his buildings, but without ever having a real eureka moment,” says saxophonist Eva van Grinsven. “And then suddenly there was Vincent, speaking about Berlage’s ideological ideas.”
Together, Vincent Bijlo and the musicians take you on a journey through the fascinating story of the never-realised ‘Pantheon of Humanity’: a dream of a temple at the heart of Europe, symbolising unity and connection — a visionary idea that feels strikingly relevant today.
credits
Texts: Vincent Bijlo
Set & lightning: Jurjen Alkema
Costumes: Nola van Timmeren
Direction: Ria Marks
Vincent Bijlo– performer and writer
Juani Palop Tecles– soprano saxophone
Peter Vigh – alto saxophone
Eva van Grinsven – tenor saxophone
Lars Niederstrasser– baritone saxophone
This performance has been made possible thanks to the support of:
Fonds Podiumkunsten, Provincie Noord-Brabant, Gemeente 's-Hertogenbosch, Het Cultuurfonds, Fonds 1999, Stichting Zabawas, Stichting Herason Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden, Dr. Hendrik Muller's Vaderlandsch Fonds, M.A.O.C. Gravin van Bylandt Stichting, P.W. Janssen's Friesche Stichting, Stichting Paul en Hanneke van den Hoek, Stichting Fonds Familie Van Beek
Programme
With music by
Erwin Schulhoff
Johann Sebastian Bach
Claude Debussy
Joey Roukens
Hanns Eisler
Saskia Venegas
agenda
archive
Theater de Speeldoos, Vught
Klein Klassiek, Doetinchem
De Doelen, Rotterdam
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Amsterdam
Theater aan de Parade, Den Bosch
Verkadefabriek, Den Bosch
Theater aan de Slinger, Houten