There was almost no space left: dozens of boats gathered in Haarlem’s Bakenessergracht last night for the Spaarnestad Concert. Among others, Astrid ‘I do what I do’ Nijgh performed there, together with opera singer Donij van Doorn.
During the Haarlem music festival, the Kennemer Youth Orchestra, conducted by Matthijs Broers, received guests such as opera singer Donij van Doorn and the 14-year-old winner of the Princess Christina Competition: Tom ten Broecke.
Haarlem’s The Flowertown Jazzband also performed, which was founded in the fifties and can therefore be called Haarlem’s oldest jazz band ‘old style’. For Broers this was the last time he performed as conductor of the youth orchestra: in November he will lay down his baton after 38 years.
Sing-Along Final
The Spaarnestad Concert ended with a sing-along finale led by Astrid Nijgh, known for the song ‘I do what I do’.
The organization had organized a Heel Haarlem sings Nijgh singing competition. The winner, Marcel Klingeler, sang a duet with Astrid Nijgh. Hits by lyricist Lennaert Nijgh – not coincidentally also Astrid Nijgh’s ex-husband – came along, such as the famous Malle Babbe and Het land van Maas en Waal.