3.9.– 3.10. 2026

A group of musicians in colourful clothing is sitting on different steps of a broad staircase. Everybody is holding their instruments and talking animatedly.
B'Rock Orchestra © Holger Talinski

B’Rock Orchestra has the Baroque era at heart. Their intuitive, ambitious and connective approach has made it one of today’s most successful and forward-thinking period orchestras. In pursuit of the new, with a desire for encounter and exchange, they actively seeks collaboration with visionary artists who are frontrunners in the world of music, theatre, dance and the visual arts. Collectively, the musicians research, associate and create intriguing experiences for a broad audience.

The orchestra opens up a dialogue with the connoisseur and the curious. On period instruments, they explore five centuries of music in opera, oratorio and instrumental music. Presenting an excellent performance of a Baroque masterpiece is as precious to them as the world première of contemporary music in a surprising context. The recently founded B’Rock Vocal Consort gives them the freedom to expand the repertoire with like-minded singers.

As they resonate with the world around them, they feel a responsibility to be an organic part of society and contribute to a meaningful discussion. Within their artistic concepts, they address relevant topics such as colonialism and exploitation, the relationship of humanity and nature, or the role of women in art throughout the centuries.

The desire to deepen the connection with audiences, and with artists of the future, is the driving force behind B’Rock Encounters. In this ever-growing series, they create space for participative adventures and the sharing of experience, insight, and knowledge.

With strong Flemish roots, and Ghent as our home base, B’Rock Orchestra is active throughout the world. They are an Associated Artist at deSingel and have long-term partnerships with OperaBallet Vlaanderen, KASK Conservatorium Gent, Muziektheater Transparant and Opéra de Rouen. They are regular guests at Concertgebouw Brugge, Muziekcentrum De Bijloke Gent, De Munt/La Monnaie, Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw Amsterdam, Kölner Philharmonie, Zuiderstrandtheater Den Haag, Le Volcan in Le Havre, Musikfestspiele Potsdam, Musik+ in Innsbruck and many more.

Among the most recent highlights are a tournee through six European cities with Carmen (1874) and a journey to Korea and Japan with Händel’s Il trionfo del Tempo, both under René Jacobs; the dance and theatre productions Torment of Hearts by Femke Gyselinck (GRIP), Eat me by Aïda Gabriëls (Oester, Transparant & B-Classic), Chapters of Celebration by Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe and Wouter Deltour (Transparant), and La révolution de Carmen (Opera2Day, NL); as well as cooperations with (vocal) soloists like Jeanine De Bique, Alexander Melnikov, Lucie Horsch, Olga Pashchenko and  Elisabeth Hetherington.

B’Rock Orchestra is supported by Flemish authorities and the City of Gent.

Concerts at the festival