War Requiem: A special moment in our 200th anniversary celebrations

Where does the power of music lie in a world shaped by polarisation, conflict and war? This question was at the heart of Music for Peace and Justice, a special project marking the 200th anniversary of the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. Last weekend, the project came to a close with two performances of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, bringing together over 300 musicians and singers.

Exploring music's role in society

More than sixty years ago, Benjamin Britten explored this question through his War Requiem. Combining the centuries-old Latin Mass for the Dead with the poetry of Wilfred Owen, a young soldier killed during the First World War, Britten created a work that confronts us with the human cost of war. Rather than celebrating heroism or conflict, the music invites us to listen, reflect and question.

Performing this monumental work was more than an ambitious musical undertaking for our students. It was part of a wider conversation about the role of music and musicians in society.

During the Music for Peace and Justice project days, held from 7 to 9 October, students, alumni, teachers and staff came together for lectures, workshops, concerts and listening sessions. The regular curriculum made way for three days of exploring themes such as war, peace, loss and reconciliation.

The aim was not to find a single answer, but to create space for different perspectives to coexist. After all, becoming an artist is not only about mastering your craft at the highest level. It also means being aware of the world in which you create your art.

A special moment in our 200-year history

Last weekend, these ideas came together in two performances of Britten’s War Requiem. More than 300 young musicians and singers, teachers, alumni, partners and guests joined forces to bring the work to life in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

Reflecting on the project, Lies Colman, director of the Royal Conservatoire, said:

‘With the War Requiem and our project Music for Peace and Justice, we set ourselves an ambitious and meaningful goal: to bring a powerful and complex musical statement to the core of our institution, and to the heart of The Hague, the International City of Peace and Justice.

Bringing together so many people from across departments, generations and cultures, alongside colleagues from our IN.TUNE and Dutch partners, made this far more than just another project. It was a reflection of who we are, what we stand for, and what we strive to achieve every day: sharing the transformative power of music at the highest artistic level.

We set the bar high, but the result surpassed even our highest expectations. I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together and immensely grateful to each and every one of you for your extraordinary commitment, dedication, and belief in this project.’

As we celebrate 200 years of the Royal Conservatoire, this project reminds us that our anniversary is not only about looking back at where we have come from. It is also about recognising the artists who are shaping our future.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to Music for Peace and Justice and the performances of War Requiem.

Our thanks go to conductors Sam Weller, César Ramos and László Nemes; soloists Idil Kutay, Jan-Willem Schaafsma and Wessel Wirken; the Choir and Orchestra of the Royal Conservatoire, Residentie Bachkoor and the National Boys' Choir.

We also thank all students, alumni, teachers, staff and partners who helped bring this project to life, both on stage and behind the scenes. A special thank you to the Art of Sound Department for their contribution behind the scenes. And, of course, we thank everyone who joined us in the audience to listen and reflect.

Thank you for being part of this special moment in our 200-year history.