It was over four centuries ago (January 8th, 1632, to be exact) that Gerardus Vossius delivered his inaugural lecture titled De historiae utilitate (On the usefulness of history) at the opening of the Athenaeum Illustre. The following day, Caspar Barlaeus delivered his lecture Mercator Sapiens (Wise Merchant) and together, these two learned and internationally renowned professors established the foundations of what was to become the University of Amsterdam. It was at this illustrious tertiary institution that Monique Deul earned a master’s degree in Law before embarking on a successful career in music – ultimately working with the London Symphony Orchestra as its Patron Administrator and the Wigmore Hall as their Head of Development.