150 years of Queen Elisabeth
2026, the year Queen Elisabeth would have turned 150
Three musical institutions (and the Medical Foundation) celebrate a legacy more relevant than ever
In 2026, the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, the Queen Elisabeth Competition, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and the Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876–1965).
As the third Queen of the Belgians, Elisabeth was not only a passionate musician, but also a visionary patron and a figure deeply attentive to people and to life itself.
Her commitment to young artists, artistic excellence and international exchange, as well as her engagement in the medical field, gave rise to institutions that remain essential today, active in both the cultural and scientific spheres.
Queen Elisabeth regarded culture and science as fundamental levers for improving society and enhancing Belgium’s international standing.
This anniversary is not merely a remembrance. In a world facing major human, social and environmental challenges, Queen Elisabeth’s vision—rooted in music, knowledge, peace and beauty—remains strikingly relevant.
By marking this anniversary, the three institutions affirm the complementarity of their missions and their shared commitment to a vision in which artistic excellence and transmission contribute to the well-being of individuals and society.
The legacy of Queen Elisabeth is not static. It is very much alive. Her pioneering and humanistic vision continues to inspire us. It can be summed up in a simple idea: music changes lives when it is given time, a framework for transmission that encourages collaboration, and an environment conducive to concentration. An oasis of peace and fraternity, where another form of humanity can emerge. Music is not merely an art to be displayed. It heals. It soothes. It connects.
Queen Elisabeth loved birds. She listened to the world and to life itself with the same attentiveness she offered to the musicians for whom she created the Music Chapel. This art of listening—so precious in a world where silence is increasingly rare—continues to guide our choices.
With the Domaine d’Argenteuil, “far from the turmoil of the city,” this vision takes on an even greater dimension. The new spaces open up countless possibilities: strengthening the training programme, developing a preparatory pathway for young Belgian artists in line with the original aspiration, and above all creating new connections—between educational disciplines, artists and artistic practices, but also between music, nature, science and care.
A jubilee year of music and encounters
The year 2026 will be shaped by a rich programme of concerts, artistic projects, encounters and initiatives open to the public, identifiable by the logo “150 Years of Queen Elisabeth”. Details of each institution’s programme will be available on their respective websites.
The multifaceted legacy of an exceptional queen
The Music Chapel is delighted to engage in dialogue with the Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation on the occasion of this 150th anniversary. The Music Chapel and the Foundation share core values of commitment and perseverance, excellence, transmission and collaboration.
While science seeks to understand what happens in the human mind, art helps us to feel what words cannot express. Research provides tools; music provides breath. Together, they strengthen a society that is free, open and receptive.
Discover below all the activities organised by the Music Chapel to celebrate 150 Years of Queen Elisabeth:
The parnters
Learn more about the:
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is part of a long-standing symphonic tradition in Antwerp dating back to the early 19th century. Founded in 1955, the Philharmonie—known since 2016 as the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra—has grown into an international reference. As resident orchestra of the Queen Elisabeth Hall and guardian of its classical repertoire, the orchestra today embodies the pursuit of artistic excellence, international outreach and audience engagement that were so dear to Queen Elisabeth.
Founded in 1937 by Queen Elisabeth in memory of Eugène Ysaÿe, the Competition has become one of the most demanding and prestigious music competitions in the world. As an international springboard for exceptional young musicians, it reflects the Queen’s vision of a meeting place for emerging talent, audiences and the great masters and virtuosos who make up the jury. With its unique focus on the artist as both human being and musician, the Queen Elisabeth Competition remains a living monument to her visionary commitment to music and young artists.
Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation
The Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation was officially established in 1926 to stimulate laboratory research and strengthen collaboration between scientists and physicians. Over the years, it has supported both its own laboratories and research projects at Belgian universities.
Today, the Foundation finances twenty research projects, supervised by a scientific committee and international experts, focusing on the functioning and disorders of the nervous system, including sleep, trauma, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel
The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel is an international Centre of Musical Excellence whose mission is to offer the new generation of talented musicians one of the finest training programmes in the world. From a haven of peace, nature and concentration, artists benefit from residencies characterised by mentorship between experienced Masters and rising stars, as well as numerous opportunities for concerts and sharing the stage with leading performers.
This advanced training is aimed at emerging talents in the disciplines of piano, violin, viola, cello, chamber music and voice.
Discover more information and the full concert programme: