Het Muziek

For the first time in nearly ten years, Louis Andriessen’s visionary masterpiece De Materie will be performed again in the Netherlands! Created between 1984 and 1988, De Materie is a musical spectacle on an extraordinary scale: 63 musicians on stage, four sections based on texts from four centuries, and a monumental opening of 144 chords played by the entire ensemble.

For fans of De Stijl and Piet Mondrian, De Materie offers a unique listening experience. The third section, De Stijl, is a direct tribute to this artistic movement. Here, Andriessen draws inspiration from Mondrian’s abstract, geometric principles, blending rhythmic patterns with a pulsing ‘boogie-woogie’ groove. The strict, repetitive structures in Andriessen’s music mirror the radical simplicity and harmony of De Stijl.

But De Materie is more than just a musical reflection on art. Each section highlights a different revolutionary idea. The first part refers to the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (1581), the declaration that marked the Netherlands’ independence from Spanish rule—a powerful symbol of political and intellectual freedom that still resonates today.

The second section, Hadewijch, is based on the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch’s Seventh Vision, in which she describes a profound, spiritual, and even erotic union with the divine. Andriessen transforms this mystical experience into a quiet and introspective musical language, inviting the listener into a world of spiritual contemplation.

The final section honors Madame Curie, the groundbreaking scientist who revolutionized our understanding of matter and radiation. These layered themes make De Materie a work that is as visionary and innovative as the artists and thinkers it celebrates.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Andriessen’s magnum opus live— a musical journey that brings together art, science, and history in a captivating and unforgettable performance.

Het Muziek 
Het Muziek is the leading ensemble for new music in the Netherlands. Known for innovative programming, they present contemporary music in many forms—from chamber concerts to large-scale music theatre—and collaborate closely with composers, creators, and audiences. 

Bas Wiegers 
Bas Wiegers is a Dutch conductor with an international career spanning contemporary and classical repertoire. Known for his energetic and refined approach, he collaborates with leading orchestras and ensembles across Europe. His background as a violinist shapes his interpretative depth and musical communication. 

Elisabeth Hetherington 
The Canadian-Dutch soprano Elisabeth Hetherington received the Dutch Music Prize at de Doelen in 2024 and is distinguished by her expressive interpretations of early, modern, and contemporary repertoire. Her background in modern dance informs her multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly blending voice and movement in innovative productions. Elisabeth is praised for her virtuosity, emotional depth, and compelling stage presence. On 9 May 2026, she will return to de Doelen to perform with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.

HIIIT
HIIIT (formerly known as Slagwerk Den Haag) is an idiosyncratic collective of musicians in varying line-ups, collaborating with creators from a wide range of disciplines, including composers and producers, choreographers, and visual artists. Driven by rhythm and a curiosity for sound in all its forms, HIIIT explores the boundaries of new music.
The musicians of HIIIT focus on performing, developing, and innovating contemporary percussion music in the broadest sense of the word. Their work spans existing compositions, newly commissioned works in collaboration with composers, and artistic research into sound, structure, and playing techniques. They employ traditional percussion instruments, self-built instruments, and electronic tools.
HIIIT deliberately chooses an interdisciplinary approach. By working with creators from other art forms, they create space for new perspectives and surprising combinations. Whether it’s large-scale international productions or intimate site-specific programs, the aim is always to tell new stories through percussion and to engage a wide audience in a direct and accessible way with current forms of music.

Yela de Koning
Yela de Koning is a Dutch actress known for her powerful stage presence and versatility across theatre and screen. She graduated from the Theatre Academy in Maastricht in 2017 and soon after joined Het Nationale Theater as part of the ensemble. With the company, she has appeared in numerous acclaimed productions, including The Nether (2018), De Eeuw van Mijn Moeder (2022), and Coriolanus (2023), in which she played the title role—a performance that earned her a Louis d’Or nomination for Best Leading Actress.
Her screen work includes roles in Rampvlucht (2022), Nemesis (2022), Red Light (2023), and the short films Over een Pastoor op Regenlaarzen (2019) and Embrace Me (2021). Recent credits include De Joodse Raad (2024) and Nemesis (2025).
Yela is currently performing in Phedra in Vlammen with Het Nationale Theater.