B-Classic - 05.09.2025 The Cabinet Sessions #3

The Cabinet Sessions returns

On Friday evening 5 September, the courtyard of the Rubens House once again becomes the setting for an exclusive night filled with live music, atmosphere and cultural surprises. With a very special musical guest: none other than Jef Neve.

Jef Neve meets Rubens

Do not just call Jef Neve a pianist. This musical polymath is known as a tireless innovator who effortlessly crosses genres and never ceases to surprise. His artistic passion and boundless energy echo that of Rubens, a prolific creator who moved fluently between styles, disciplines and social circles. Two masters of their craft, united by a shared drive to keep reinventing.

Performance with three exceptional artists

Starts at 8:30 PM
Alternative times in case of bad weather

For the third edition of The Cabinet Sessions, Jef Neve presents an exclusive live performance created especially for the courtyard of the Rubens House.
What will you hear? That remains a surprise until the evening itself.
What we can reveal: Jef Neve will not perform alone. Together with countertenor Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe, artistic director of Toneelhuis, and Laurens Mariën, expert in soundscapes and electronics, he explores the intersection between classical music, theatre and contemporary sound.

Try-out with Mil Sinaeve

Starts at 7:30 PM, 9:45 PM and 10:30 PM

New theatre talent Mil Sinaeve graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp in 2024. In his new production Pieter Paul Pied De Stalle, he steps into the role of Rubens and looks back on the artist’s life. What choices did Rubens make, both personal and artistic, and how did they shape his path?
During this try-out, Mil shares an exclusive and intimate excerpt of the performance with the audience.

Ask Rubens
Ongoing from 7 PM to 11 PM

Do you have a question or would you like some background on the garden, the library or the Rubens Experience? Our Rubens guides are available throughout the evening. Spot them by their green badge and ask them anything.

Discover the secrets of the pavilion
Ongoing from 7 PM to 11 PM

The pavilion in Rubens’s garden is one of the last original structures from his time. Once designed as a place for reflection, it is now a hidden gem full of stories. Curious what this meaningful space has to share?
Our expert will take you through the pavilion and tell you about its hidden secrets, the story of Hercules and the many surprising details. Look and discover.

Make your own herb butter
Ongoing from 7 PM to 11 PM

Did you know thyme was used in the seventeenth century for its healing properties? And that rosemary symbolised memory and friendship? In Rubens’s time, herbs were found not only in the kitchen but also in the medicine cabinet.
In this hands-on workshop, you will create your own herb butter using herbs from Rubens’s garden. Smell, mix, taste and take your creation home.

Food, drinks and beats all night
Ongoing from 7 PM to 11 PM

Need a break? Order a drink at the bar or enjoy a slice of freshly baked pizza from Mariello. Meanwhile, our DJ will provide the perfect soundtrack for your evening.

About curator B Classic

Each year, the Rubens House entrusts the key to its cabinet to an inspiring curator. In 2025, B Classic welcomes audiences into its artistic world.
B Classic fosters encounters between artists, genres and audiences. It opens up classical music and explores how music, both past and present, is created and experienced.
B Classic supports artists and creators with an open mind, offering them space to create, experiment and present.