On Saturday 31 October 2026, the Residentie Kamerkoor will present its seventh annual All Souls’ Day Concert (Allerzielenconcert) at the historic Kloosterkerk in The Hague.
Organised in collaboration with the Kloosterkerk and Nieuwe Badkapel, the concert offers an afternoon of beautiful choral music, poetry and remembrance, providing an opportunity to reflect on the lives of loved ones who have passed away.
Music for Remembrance and Reflection
Under the direction of conductor Rodrigo Lluch, the Residentie Kamerkoor will perform a programme of classical works chosen for their themes of remembrance, comfort and peace.
The programme includes Jesu, meine Freude by Johann Sebastian Bach, a timeless motet exploring the contrast between the troubles of the world and the promise of peace.
Another highlight is the Requiem (1993) by Canadian composer Eleanor Daley, which combines traditional religious texts with contemporary poetry, including the well-known poem Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep.
The concert will also feature Psalm 91 by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and They Are at Rest by Edward Elgar.
Remembering Loved Ones
The music will be accompanied by poetry and reflections from Charlotte van der Leest of the Nieuwe Badkapel and Rienk Lanooy of the Kloosterkerk.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to submit the names of loved ones who have passed away. These names will be read aloud during the concert, creating a personal moment of remembrance.
As Rienk Lanooy explains, although the experience of loss is deeply personal, remembering people collectively can offer comfort. Music provides a way to acknowledge those who are no longer with us and keep their memory alive.
A Tradition Across Cultures
All Souls’ Day originates in the Roman Catholic tradition and is observed as a time to remember those who have died, often through prayer, candles and visits to graves.
Concert conductor Rodrigo Lluch, who was born and raised in Mexico, recalls how his family celebrated this occasion with a home altar decorated with photographs, fruit, sweet bread and other offerings.
In many Latin American traditions, remembrance also includes colourful celebrations, shared meals and positive memories of loved ones.
The Allerzielenconcert offers a musical interpretation of this longstanding tradition, welcoming visitors to remember and reflect through music, regardless of their religious background.
Performers and Programme
The Residentie Kamerkoor will perform under the direction of Rodrigo Lluch, accompanied by:
- Dārta Liepiņa – soprano
- Kees Jan de Koning – bass
- Lucia Swarts – cello
- Areli Cortes – organ
The programme includes works by J.P. Sweelinck, J.S. Bach, Eleanor Daley and Edward Elgar.
Practical Information
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026
Time: 16:00
Location: Kloosterkerk, Lange Voorhout 4, The Hague
Tickets: €27 general admission; €10 for visitors aged 25 and under and Ooievaarspas holders. Prices include refreshments after the concert.
More information and tickets: Allerzielenconcert 2026 – Residentie Bach Ensembles