history
legendary names
Aretha Franklin, Arthur Rubinstein, Tina and Ike Turner, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Alice Cooper, Herbert van Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker, The Who, Duke Ellington, Bruce Springsteen: the greatest icons have stood in the Doelen.
>the 60s
Shortly after the opening in May 1966, the first foreign orchestra played in the Doelen: the Berliner Philharmoniker. Herbert von Karajan's disciplined performance was not soon forgotten.
The American jazz great Ella Fitzgerald performed in a sold-out Doelen for the first time in 1967.
On April 28, the then 26-year-old Aretha Franklin gave a one-off concert in the Doelen.
Before the hall filled with Led Zeppelin fans, a cool backstage photo was taken of the band members in 1969.
It was the forerunner of North Sea Jazz: the Newport Jazz Festival that took place annually in De Doelen and where all the great jazz legends have performed, including the American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis.
the 70s
In the spring of 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival, known for hits such as 'Suzy Q' and 'I Put A Spell On You', gave a one-off performance at De Doelen.
On December 19, 1970, the Beach Boys also gave an unforgettable night concert in De Doelen.
In 1971 the American jazz drummer Buddy Rich gives a spectacular night concert together with a classical big band.
On April 14, 1972, in his third year as a pop artist, Elton John gives a night concert here.
Tina Turner performs in De Doelen in 1972 and blows the audience away!
At the Newport Jazz Festival in 1973, the then 74-year-old jazz legend Duke Ellington gives two concerts.
Also at this concert Lou Reed let himself be carried on stage halfway through the opening track Sweet Jane, with a fantastic guitar intro by the gentlemen Hunter and Wagner.
In 1974 The Pointer Sisters gave a night concert in De Doelen. The concert was supposed to start at midnight, but ended up starting more than two hours later. But it was worth the wait.
In de Doelen, you are so close to an artist that you could touch them. This interaction enhances the experience, such as at the concert by Rod Stewart and The Faces in 1974.
On March 21, 1976 the German Kraftwerk performs in the Doelen. It is their first performance in the Netherlands where they are also photographed backstage.
the 80s
On February 21, 1980, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Zinman played works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bloch and Janácek. An exciting evening.
In February 2018, Randy Newman would come to de Doelen. Special, because the last time the American singer-songwriter performed with us was in 1983.
In 1987 the sold-out concert of Paolo Conte took place. It was a party and the evening would be unforgettable for many.
Ennio Morricone is considered one of the most famous film composers of all time. In 1988 he performed together with the Metropole Orkest in de Doelen, where he conducted his own film music from films such as The Mission and Once Upon a Time in the West.
the 90s
In 1991 Nirvana performed in the Doelen during Ein Abend in Wien, alongside Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and Nick Cave. In retrospect, they make the most impression...
Star soprano Jessye Norman performs in 1992 with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. On the podium of the Doelen she gives shine to Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde.
In October 1993 the popular Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa gives a concert in the Doelen. The Great Hall is filled with South Americans, who experience many goosebumps moments during the concert
On October 22, 1995 Cesária Évora gave her first Dutch concert in the Doelen. She provided 'trembling buttocks and strong water'.
The Bruce Springsteen concert in De Doelen as part of his The Ghost Of Tom Joad tour was completely sold out in 1996.
the 00s
A sublime performance of Die Jahreszeiten by the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century conducted by Sir Simon Rattle in 2001 was not easily forgotten.
In the 2001-2002 season, de Doelen presented the series 'Master Organists at the Grote Doelen Organ'. The French organist Jean Guillou concluded the series with works by Bach, Mozart, Widor and Liszt.
Musical greatness Charles Aznavour passed away on October 1, 2018. In 2002 Aznavour had performed in a sold-out Great Hall as part of his 'The Last Tour'. It was an unforgettable evening.
During the Cape Verde Gala in 2007, Bana, Gil Semedo, Dina Medina and Grace Évora, conducted by the Metropole Orchestra, fill the Great Hall with Cape Verdean sounds. A magical evening for Dina Medina, who is making her debut in De Doelen.
In 2008 Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes over as chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic. The young, dynamic conductor quickly conquers the Doelenpodium.
the 10s
As part of her latest album Unrepentant Geraldines, Tori Amos is giving a concert in De Doelen. She needs nothing more than a grand piano and an organ to enchant her audience. And it was magical.
On October 3, 2015, the wonder brothers Arthur and Lucas Jussen gave a particularly beautiful double concert. We knew that: we were showered with great reactions from the public.
'Fantastic, magical, very authentic, disruptive. That was Benjamin Clementine in de Doelen. His performance chafes, annoys or moves, but ultimately leaves no one untouched.
Before pianist Farid Sheek plugged in his Christmas tree lighting, he wished he would break through with his music. Fairy tales exist. On October 13, 2018, his dream comes true: his own concert in De Doelen.
For many decades, De Doelen has been a music temple for concerts from all over the world and in all musical genres. Classical music, jazz, pop, world music and everything in between, it all comes along.
