Since its first concert in 1904, the Residentie Orchestra The Hague has grown into one of the major symphony orchestras of The Netherlands. Founded by Dr Henri Viotta, who was also its first principal conductor, it quickly became a port of call for composers such as Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, Max Reger, Maurice Ravel, Paul Hindemith, and Vincent d’Indy, as well as guest conductors including Arturo Toscanini, Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, and Hans Knappertsbusch.
After the Second World War, Willem van Otterloo became Chief Conductor of the Orchestra. Serving from 1949 to 1973, he built up its exceptional reputation by combining its excellent playing with adventurous programming. He was succeeded by Jean Martinon, Ferdinand Leitner, Hans Vonk, Evgeny Svetlanov, and Jaap van Zweden. Since September 2005 the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor has been Neeme Järvi.
The Residentie Orchestra The Hague is proving that even in the twenty-first century, symphonic music retains the power and beauty to move a large audience. Its reputation as one of the finest orchestras in Europe makes it an appropriate figurehead for The Hague as a cosmopolitan city of justice, peace and culture. The Orchestra performs concert series at its home, the Dr Anton Philipszaal, and in major concert halls throughout The Netherlands and abroad.