The presidency’s opening concert: an event showcasing the richness and diversity of Belgian music

This Friday evening in Brussels, the Belgian presidency got off to a musical start with an original creation followed by tunes from iconic Belgian artists such as Jacques Brel, Arno, Stromae and harmonica player Toots Thielemans.

These pieces were performed by an orchestra featuring Belgian musicians from all the regions, conducted by Jef Neve, alongside violinist Lorenzo Gatto and singers Selah Sue and Charlotte Adigéry

The Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union is underway and alongside the flurry of countless political and diplomatic meetings that will mark the next six months, there will be a host of cultural events. One of the most eagerly anticipated was friday night’s opening concert, attended by Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and numerous national and international dignitaries.

On stage at Bozar’s magnificent Le Bœuf Hall (Centre for Fine Arts), pianist and composer Jef Neve kicked off the evening with ‘Belgium’, his original piano creation, alongside violinist Lorenzo Gatto. Following this premiere, specially composed for the 13th Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, Jef Neve and his orchestra of musicians from the country’s three regions performed iconic pieces by famous Belgian artists. They were joined by the magnificent voices of singers Selah Sue and Charlotte Adigéry, who also presented songs from their own repertoire. As you can see from the programme below, the concert was a journey through time and styles, from harmonica player Toots Thielemans to pop star Stromae, highlighting the dynamic and diverse musical landscape of Belgium.

The artists

Jef Neve

Born in Turnhout in 1977, he is a pianist and composer in both jazz and classical music. His jazz trio has toured extensively worldwide. Jef Neve is known for his diverse collaborations, working with hip-hop artists, cultural centres and theatre directors.

Lorenzo Gatto

Born in Brussels in 1986, he began playing the violin at the age of 5 and, 18 years later, he won the Audience Prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2009. Since then, he has made his recital debut on Europe’s greatest stages and worked with numerous conductors. Lorenzo Gatto plays the 1698 Stradivarius ‘Joachim’.

Charlotte Adigéry

Born in Narbonne in 1990, she is a singer of West Indian origin who became a naturalised Belgian citizen and now lives in Ghent, Flanders. Her musical career, spanning three albums and various television collaborations, is closely linked with Bolis Pupul and the Dewaele brothers (Soulwax), iconic figures on the Flemish electro-pop scene. Behind her upbeat rhythms lie important themes such as racism and the vanity of social media.

Selah Sue

Born in Leuven in 1989, is a singer-songwriter with an international career. Her debut album, released in 2011, sold over a million copies. Her music, infused with soul and blues, features lyrics that highlight human issues, openly addressing topics like depression and motherhood.