Frans Brüggen is considered one of the foremost experts in the performance of eighteenth century music. Born in Amsterdam, he studied Musicology and at only 21 years old became a Professor at the Royal Music Academy of Ajax. Later, he was nominated Erasmus Professor at the University of Harvard and Regents Professor at the University of Berkeley.
As a conductor, he collaborated permanently with some of the most important orchestras worldwide. He often works with the Orchestre de Paris and the Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment, he was invited several times at the Festival of Salzburg, and has conducted, among others, the Orchestra of Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, the Philharmonic of Wien, Oslo, Stockholm, Rotterdam and Hamburg, besides the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Orchestra of the 18th Century
In 1981, Frans Brüggen founded the Orchestra of the 18th Century of Amsterdam made up of nearly 60 elements coming from 22 different countries The musicians, all specialized in the performance of 18th and 19th century music, play with original instruments or contemporary copies. Their many recordings for Philips and Glossa have achieved the highest international acknowledgments.