Amare

Amare is the new home of music and dance in The Hague, a large cultural complex at Spuiplein in the centre of the city, close to the main railway station. It opened in the early 2020s and brings together several institutions that were previously housed separately, so that audiences, students and artists share one building. It is one of the largest cultural buildings in the country, and it was conceived as a place where people can walk in freely, meet, eat and drink, and see rehearsals as well as performances.

Three major organisations are based here. The Residentie Orkest, the orchestra of The Hague, has its home in the concert hall, and its programmes range from classical masterpieces to contemporary works. The Nederlands Dans Theater, one of the most celebrated contemporary dance companies in the world, performs and rehearses in the building, and its dancers can often be seen at work. The Royal Conservatoire, the city's conservatoire for music and dance, trains young musicians and dancers who share the spaces with the professionals, which gives the building a youthful, working energy. The name is Latin and means to love.

The architecture reflects the idea of a city within a city. Public areas on the ground floor are open to everyone, with cafes, restaurants and spaces for informal performances, and the halls above are arranged around them. There are several auditoria, including a concert hall designed for excellent acoustics and a dedicated dance theatre with the technical facilities that dance requires, along with smaller halls, studios and rehearsal rooms. The design pays attention to sustainability, using energy-efficient systems and materials, and the large windows and open spaces give visitors a sense of the activity inside.

The programme is wide. Symphony concerts, chamber music, opera and musicals are held alongside contemporary and classical dance, jazz, world music and festivals, and special events for families and children. The conservatoire presents student concerts, which are often inexpensive or free. Visitors can simply walk through the public areas, have a coffee or a meal, and absorb the atmosphere.

The building suits music and dance lovers, families and curious visitors. It sits in the cultural district of The Hague, with the Dr. Anton Philipszaal area nearby, and is a short walk from the Binnenhof and shopping streets. Check the programme and book tickets online in advance, as popular performances sell out.