The ministry praised the Concertgebouw's "strong reputation" based on the presentation of not only music, but also music theatre and dance, and looked forward to its further development as a "national and international centre".

The grant provoked some criticism from the managers of other cultural institutions that had been bypassed. The grant to deSingel was understandable because it had just added a new building, they said. But the promotion of the Concertgebouw, at the cost of the other major institutions, was no less than "a small scandal", according to Aviel Cahn, manager of the Flemish Opera.

Meanwhile, an event held last weekend to raise funds for the Brussels Muntschouwburg brought in a total of €␣230,000 from a dinner and concert, as well as a sneak preview of an exhibition by artist Isabelle De Borchgrave, which is planned for St Petersburg.