Open Houses: closing concert

Open Houses: closing concert – a triumphant finale for Antwerp’s cultural season, captured in stunning film for your screen. After a day of discovery, open rehearsals, and behind‑the‑scenes magic at Open Houses, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra settles the Queen Elizabeth Hall for one last remarkable performance, conducted by the charismatic Wilson Ng. This powerful closing concert doubles as a heartfelt tribute, ten years after the passing of legendary Belgian jazz master Toots Thielemans. Honoring his legacy, the orchestra invites mouth harmonica virtuoso Steven De Bruyn to resurrect Thielemans’ iconic sound, soaring beside the timeless grooves that once intertwined with Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon. The program blends brilliant solos with exuberant symphonic jazz, featuring highlights such as George Gershwin’s rousing “Girl Crazy” overture, Thielemans’ breezy “Bluesette,” John Barry’s dramatic “Midnight Cowboy,” Samuel Coleridge’s lyrical “Taylor Ballade in a, opus 33,” Bobbejaan Schoepen’s charming “De lichtjes van de Schelde,” Abdullah Ibrahim’s rich “African Marketplace,” and a triumphant finale with Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.” Each piece is wrapped in Wilson Ng’s leadership, delivering a sunny, sweeping celebration that invites audiences to sweep away the summer’s last traces and step confidently into a new cultural season. Experience this unforgettable night on film and let the music carry you from the vibrant streets of Astridplein and Operaplein to the grandeur of the Queen Elizabeth Hall – it’s a finale you won’t want to miss. **Details & tickets**