THE LUNCHCONCERT

Amsterdam, 1 February 2002

In the morning the guests had already enjoyed trips in Amsterdam. At 12:00 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam a lunchconcert (including lunch) took place on the occasion of the wedding of the Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta for which 1600 guests were invited. The concert was executed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with as chief conductor Italian Riccardo Chailly, who also compiled the suite being played: 'Romeo and Juliet'. Chailly has been conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as chief conductor since 1988. Before the actual concert the Dutch national anthem - the Wilhelmus - was played and even Máxima showed she can sing it.

The Programme
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) - Suite from 'Romeo and Juliet' (1935-36/46)
Montagues and Capulets
Morning Dance
Scene
Romeo and Juliet
The Death of Tybalt
Romeo and Juliet before parting
Romeo at Juliet's tomb
The Death of Juliet

At the end of the concert the Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta came on stage to give flowers to the chief conductor and the first violinist. The Prince of Orange thanked the orchestra for the wonderful performance and also thanked mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen and the city of Amsterdam for the 'astonishing hospitality and the enormous efforts that are made to make our wedding in this city possible.' and joked that for this occasion they could better have rewritten the end of 'Romeo and Juliet'. As a surprise for Máxima Zorreguieta a tango was played: "Habanera".