OPUS 112 is the official orchestra of the Hannover Fire Department and a musical ensemble that brings together around 70 dedicated musicians. What unites them is far more than just talent – it is a shared passion for making music at the highest level. Their commitment, energy, and love for music can be felt in every performance.

Serving as the official musical ambassador of both the Fire Department and the City of Hannover, OPUS 112 plays an important representative role. Whether at state ceremonies, official receptions, or public celebrations, the orchestra lends these occasions a unique musical atmosphere and proudly represents the values and spirit of Hannover and its fire service.

But OPUS 112 is much more than just a ceremonial ensemble. Deeply rooted in the community, the orchestra is also driven by a strong social commitment. Through regular benefit concerts, it supports a variety of charitable causes. Over the years, OPUS 112 has helped raise significant donations – supporting refugee shelters, aiding in the reconstruction of historic Blankenburg Castle, contributing to the HAZ Christmas Charity campaign, and providing assistance to the Children’s Hospital at the Bult in Hannover, among many others.

What truly sets OPUS 112 apart is its extraordinary musical versatility. The orchestra’s repertoire spans a wide spectrum – from classical masterpieces to rousing rock anthems, from emotional musical theatre selections to epic film scores. This musical diversity, paired with artistic excellence and a genuine connection to the audience, allows OPUS 112 to create unforgettable concert experiences.

Whether performing in concert halls, on open-air stages, or at official functions, OPUS 112 continues to inspire and impress with its distinctive blend of professionalism, passion, and heartfelt musicality. It is more than just an orchestra – it is a cultural ambassador, a community partner, and a living testament to the power of music to bring people together.

The Story of OPUS 112 – The Orchestra of the Hannover Fire Department

The tradition of fire brigade music in Hannover dates back to 1934, with the founding of the "Musikkorps der Feuerlöschpolizei Hannover" (Firefighting Police Band of Hannover). Around two decades later, several independent ensembles emerged from this original group, including the band of the Hannover Professional Fire Brigade and the music corps of the Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1974, these two ensembles were reunited under one name: the "Städtisches Musikkorps der Feuerwehr Hannover" (Municipal Band of the Hannover Fire Department). The newly formed orchestra quickly developed a vibrant musical life that extended far beyond the borders of Hannover. In addition to numerous performances throughout the city and region, the ensemble also embarked on successful concert tours abroad, visiting countries such as Russia, France, the United States, Canada, Chile and South Africa.

After the departure of the conductor in 2001, the municipal orchestra was temporarily disbanded.

However, a new chapter began just a year later: in June 2002, the Hannover Fire Department reassembled the orchestra under the musical direction of Dutch-born conductor Hugo Loosveld. In 2005, the ensemble adopted its current name:

OPUS 112 – The Orchestra of the Hannover Fire Department.

Since then, OPUS 112 has been dedicated to presenting its audiences with sophisticated and contemporary symphonic wind music of the highest standard. Success was not long in coming: at the 2007 German Music Festival in Würzburg, the orchestra delivered an outstanding performance that was met with acclaim. The following year, OPUS 112 traveled to Poznań, Poland, on behalf of the Hannover Fire Department to musically celebrate and strengthen the partnership between the fire services of the two cities. Since then, the orchestra has gained a loyal fan base in Poznań.

A significant milestone in the orchestra’s history came at the turn of the year 2012/2013, with an invitation to tour China. Performing in sold-out venues across ten major cities, OPUS 112 captivated audiences with its musical excellence and expressive artistry.

On January 11, 2014, the traditional New Year’s Concert was held for the first time in the prestigious Kuppelsaal of the Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC). In celebration of the HCC’s 100th anniversary, OPUS 112 presented a rich and varied program spanning a century of music history to an audience of over 2,000 people.

The orchestra returned to China for a second tour at the end of 2016, once again performing to sold-out concert halls and further solidifying its international reputation. From 2014 to 2020, OPUS 112 held a total of seven successful New Year’s concerts in the HCC’s Kuppelsaal – establishing a beloved tradition within Hannover’s cultural calendar.

After a pandemic-induced hiatus, the orchestra returned in 2023 with a festive anniversary concert celebrating its 20th year – held in the Grand Broadcasting Hall of the NDR (North German Broadcasting) studios in Hannover.

Today, OPUS 112 is regarded as one of the leading symphonic wind orchestras in Northern Germany and has become an integral part of both Hannover’s cultural scene and the wider region.

OPUS112 Chief Conductor Hugo Loosveld successfully studied trombone, euphonium, and wind orchestra conducting at the Conservatory of Music in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

Even before and during his studies, Hugo Loosveld was already engaged as a trombonist in various renowned orchestras in the Netherlands. After completing his studies, he received engagements as principal trombonist in orchestras in Thuringia and Wolfsburg (Volkswagen Philharmonic Orchestra), which brought him to Germany.

To this day, Hugo Loosveld regularly leads courses in trombone, euphonium, and wind orchestra conducting, and for several years he served as a seminar leader for Yamaha’s wind band classes in the Benelux countries.

As a conductor, Hugo Loosveld attended conducting courses with Pierre Kuipers, Ton Beekman, Lex Veelo, and Toni Scholl.

From 2001 to 2007, Hugo Loosveld was the conductor of the Philharmonic Volkswagen Orchestra Wolfsburg and led the Volkswagen Wind Orchestra and Big Band.

From 1997 to 2019, he conducted the Youth Wind Orchestra of the state capital Hannover, and from 2014 to 2023 he was the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra (KMSO) of the Peine District Music School.

For more than 22 years now, Hugo Loosveld has led the Opus 112 Orchestra of the Hannover Fire Department with “heart and soul” and great success.

In addition to several CD recordings, he has undertaken concert tours with many orchestras (as a soloist, musician, or conductor) to Spain, Andorra, Austria, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, France, South Africa, Chile, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, China among others.