Princess Irene attends tenth Concerto in Memoriam

On June 1st, HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands was the guest of honour during the tenth Concerto in Memoriam held at the Velsen Crematorium in Driehuis. More than four thousand visitors listened to, among other things, a broad musical programme, a poem and words of solace by Princess Irene. “Since the first Concerto in Memoriam in 1994, we have received many positive responses,” explains crematorium director Ms C.C. Bosua-Westerman. “Our experience is that visitors find it pleasant to remember their loved ones in the monumental decor of our crematorium. The combination of appropriate music with the spoken word has turned out to be as good as our choice of speakers. For instance, several renowned Dutch citizens have honoured us with their contributions, including novelist Anna Enquist, Salvation Army Major Bosshardt, and anaesthesiologist and bronchial specialist Prof. B. Smalhout. And we were absolutely delighted that the Princess, Ms Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld, wanted to speak this year.” This year’s musical programme was broader than in previous years. In addition to classic works by one of Brazil’s most successful concert pianists, Iara Behs, other (more contemporary) numbers were performed by the group ‘to Be’. To create a more direct relationship with the music performed during cremation ceremonies, various titles, including Ave Maria, Nessun Dorma, Amazing Grace and Time to Say Goodbye were sung. The Velsen Crematorium – part of ‘the Facultatieve Group’ – was the first crematorium in the Netherlands (1913) and is a national monument.