Classical:NEXT, de Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 16 - 19 May 2018

What The France? – French Opening at Classical:NEXT

First programme parts revealed as registration for 2018 meeting opens

Rotterdam/Berlin: Classical:NEXT 2018 starts big: the leading art music meeting's seventh edition will be opened with an evening hosted by France in Rotterdam's de Doelen concert hall on 16 May 2018, as organisers Piranha Arts and Le Bureau Export announced today. A coalition of French associations, networks and partners will present a global vision of the French music scene of today.

And this is only one of a series of early confirmations for the event:

In addition to the French opening, the Naxos Music Group announced to move their annual distributors and labels meeting to Rotterdam, tied to Classical:NEXT, the European Festivals Association (EFA) will participate in the conference with its own networking formats and the vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth are confirmed for the seventh edition's showcase programme performing at the Classical:NEXT Innovation Award and closing ceremony.

Director Jennifer Dautermann is enthusiastic about the first programme confirmations:

"From the start, our aim with Classical:NEXT has been to be event where the art music scene comes together: all countries, all sectors, all approaches. These latest endorsements prove that we've covered a lot of ground in that regard: Naxos, the European Festivals Association and the combined efforts of many French partners, spearheaded by Le Bureau Export. We are absolutely delighted and honoured that we can welcome each of these significant initiatives from key players, bringing them together with all our partner networks and individual delegates in 2018." 

Online registration for Classical:NEXT is open as of now, including stand bookings for the expo, which have sold out in past editions. The best-priced Smart Rate is available until 19 January 2018. Classical and art music professionals from all areas, styles and sectors are gathering annually at Classical:NEXT.

See who came to Classical:NEXT in 2017

The 2018 edition will take place in de Doelen concert hall and congress centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. More programme is to be announced early in 2018.

SEE BELOW FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PRESS PHOTOS

What The France!? - Insights to the French Scene(s) at Classical:NEXT

A coalition of French associations, networks and partners around Le Bureau Export have announced to increase their engagement offering connections and insights into the French art music scene(s). They will host the meeting's opening evening under the title 'What the France?!' in de Doelen concert hall, Rotterdam the Netherlands on Wednesday, 16 May 2018. 

"We, the artistic committee of this French Focus, want to show our history, excellence, education, complexity, diversity and innovation of the French specific model of funding since Louis XIV and its evolution with creativity, energy and humour." says Françoise Clerc, head of classical music at Le Bureau Export.

Talking of French music from Renaissance to today and coinciding with Claude Debussy’s anniversary the Opening will display the strengths and the specificities of music 'made in France' with live performances of renowned French artists and talent as well as with video works, keynote talks and a proper French style for the networking part of the evening including food and drink.

Confirmed partners are (more to be announced):

• The French Embassy in the Netherlands
• Le Bureau Export
• SACEM
• Mezzo TV
• Business France
• Harmonia Mundi
• FEVIS
• La Belle Saison
• Chambre Syndicale des Editeurs de Musique
• more to be announced

After amongst others UK, Germany, Austria, Canada and the Netherlands, France is another key classical scene increasing their Classical:NEXT efforts by hosting the opening concert. On more than 10 expo stands and with further elements in the programme 'the French' will expand their engagement beyond the Opening. More information on this as well as specifics of the Opening's programme are to be announced early in 2018.

Important Networks Confirm Participation Early

Due to a delegate survey, over 90% of the 2017 participants are likely to visit Classical:NEXT again this year and a large part of the partners and exhibiting partners are already in talks of renewing their stand bookings or network meetings (e.g. the orchestra scene the Indie Classical Network as well as a network of all Music Export Offices). What is more, some partners will extend their engagement:

The Naxos Music Group, one of the key initiators of the first Classical:NEXT in Munich 2012 has always coordinated their annual conference with Classical:NEXT timewise and has now announced to hold their 2018 meeting in Rotterdam, holding some of their presentations with their label partners as part of Classical:NEXT. This move will make it easier for many in the recording industry to attend both events and to stay networked more widely.

Roomful of Teeth to Showcase at Classical:NEXT

Classical:NEXT will continue its successful showcase programme of unorthodox music projects bringing new formats and artistic approaches to the expected 1,200+ professionals attending. 

The first 2018 showcase confirmed is Roomful of Teeth, a Grammy-winning vocal project dedicated to reimagining the expressive potential of the human voice. Based in Massachusets, US, the eight-voice ensemble continually expands its vocabulary of singing techniques through study with masters from vocal traditions the world over, ranging from Inuit Throat singing, yodeling and Sardinian cantu a tenore to Korean P’ansori, Persian classical and even Death Metal.