The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century (Dutch: Orkest van de Achttiende Eeuw) is a Dutch early music orchestra. Frans Bruggen and Lucy van Dael co-founded the orchestra in 1981.Sieuwert Verster became financial manager in 1984. Although he did not have a formal title with the orchestra, Bruggen served as the de facto principal conductor of the orchestra from its founding until his death in 2014. Verster has served as the orchestra's manager since its founding.