On October 16, at Friday , the Residentie Orkest opened the 77th edition of the Festival Dag in de Branding, with composer Calliope Tsoupaki serving as guest curator. Her compositions *Falling* and *Thin Air*, together with Mahler’s intimate *Rückert Lieder* and Dvořák’s Fifth Symphony, formed a program full of contrasts—ranging from Tsoupaki’s penetrating soundscape to Mahler’s personal emotional world and Dvořák’s lively, nature-inspired music.

The evening took on an extra festive atmosphere with the presentation of the 2026 Johan Wagenaar Prize to Tsoupaki, a special recognition of her entire body of work. As a former Composer Laureate of the Netherlands and an artistic ally of the “ Residentie Orkest ,” she has strong ties to the Dutch music world.

Mezzo-soprano Barbara Kozelj took center stage, bringing the subdued emotions of Mahler’s Rückert Lieder to life with her warm voice. Conductor Antony Hermus guided the orchestra through the various musical worlds, with Dvořák’s Fifth Symphony serving as an exuberant finale. The playful rhythms, lyrical melodies, and rich orchestral colors brought the evening to a warm and energetic close.

On October 17, at Saturday , the program took on a new look during RO NOW: Dvořák 5. Host Sander Zwiep, together with the orchestra, guided the audience through the music with short audio clips that revealed new details. This was followed by selected Rückert Lieder by Mahler and, once again, Dvořák’s Fifth Symphony.

The music continued even outside the “ Concert Hall .” Especially for RO NOW, poet and writer Sholeh Rezazadeh wrote a poetic interpretation inspired by two of Mahler’s personal Rückert Lieder, which she recited in the foyer before the concert. In this way, the emotions conveyed by Mahler’s music found a new voice.