Thijl 2018
On the former air base at Soesterberg, in a theater made out of freight containers, the opera Thijl will be performed by the Utrechts Student Orchestra together with a large choir and eight soloists. Thijl is a grand, late Romantic Dutch opera that was written by the Dutch composer Jan van Gilse (1881 – 1944), who himself was involved in the artists’ resistance during WWII. It has only been performed once before, in 1980.
About the opera
The opera tells the story of the folk hero Thijl Uilenspiegel at the beginning of the Eighty Years’ War. Thijl, starting as a jester, takes along his fellow rebels, the so-called ‘Geuzen’, in a battle against the Spanish oppressors, determined to fight for justice and freedom. He finds out that every fight, even one for the fairest cause, comes at a price.
Composer Jan van Gilse wrote his opera Thijl at the beginning of the Second World War. As an active member of the artists’ resistance, he carried the handwritten score of Thijl with him to all of his underground addresses. The piece was dedicated “To the fighters for justice and freedom”, and, as he later added, to his two sons, who were executed for their resistance work.
| Director | Wim Trompert |
| Conductor | Bas Pollard |
| Cast | Anthony Heidweiller, Aylin Sezer, Pierre Mak, Marcel Reijans, Wilke te Brummelstroete, Nanco de Vries, Irene Hoogveld, Agris Hartmanis |
| Orchestra | Utrecht Student Orchestra |
| Choirs | Stichting Cherubino, kamerkoor 4 bij 4, klein Operakoor Wilhelminapark, Utrechts Studenten Koor en Orkest |
Festival & Museum
On the days of the performances, there is the opportunity to visit a festival with music and speakers and to visit the Dutch National Military Museum, all of which are linked to the performance of Thijl. With your ticket for Thijl, you can visit both for free.
The Dutch National Military Museum is opened daily from 10am to 5pm. The festival program starts at 4pm.
Practical Information
Performance dates: June 30, July 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17
Time: 19:30 – 22:30, including an intermission
Language: Dutch
Surtitles: Dutch
The concerts take place at the Dutch National Military Museum – Verlengde Paltzerweg 1, 3768 MX Soest
Tickets and contact
For any more questions or to reserve tickets, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone on +31 6 580 620 18 or via email at [email protected]
In our online ticket shop it is only possible to book tickets using a Dutch payment system. If you do not have a Dutch bank account, please send us an e-mail at [email protected]. We are happy to book the tickets for you and to provide the details in order for you to pay directly by bank transfer.
Dinner at Thijl
It is possible to have dinner at the National Military Museum before the performance, with several selections from the theater menu of mains for €14.95. When booking tickets for the opera, you can book your dinner for €1.- booking cost per person.