As a child, Michel van der Aa used to build labyrinths out of cardboard, complete with intriguing soundscapes. Today, he lets audiences enter alternative worlds in a different way: through his inventive musical, cinematic and digital creations. As a composer, director, and multimedia artist, he brings together various disciplines and leads the classical opera genre into new dimensions.
News
5 September 2026
Portrait concert and From Dust at November Music
Two works by Michel van der Aa feature at this year’s November Music festival: the return of his VR opera From Dust, and a portrait concert of his chamber music on the closing night.
After sold-out runs at De Doelen and the Holland Festival, the virtual reality opera From Dust comes to November Music for ten days, from 20 to 29 November at Pand 18. From Dust was awarded Best Immersive Work at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2025.
Book tickets for From Dust: fromdust
November Music closes on Sunday 29 November (20:00, Verkadefabriek – Grote zaal) with a portrait concert of Van der Aa’s chamber music by Ensemble Ludwig. The programme includes For the Time Being, Oog, Memo, and Transit. The centrepiece is the cello concerto Up-close, featuring soloist Laurence Gaudreau. Van der Aa won the prestigious Grawemeyer Award with this work, which combines film and live music.
Book tickets for the portrait concert: michel-portret-ludwig
Featured works
Performances
12 September 2026
13 September 2026
19 October 2026
From Dust (concert version)
Vocal ensemble Sjaella.
Leipziger Jazztage
Schaubühne Lindenfels,
Leipzich,
Germany