Peter de Groot (Dutch *1957) is a pupil of the Dutch alto Aafje Heynis. Her conviction that a singer should be profoundly servile to the composition has also become also his ‘credo’. After his studies at the Conservatory of Arnhem (Holland) he became a member of the Collegium Vocale Gent. Its conductor, Philippe Herreweghe, showed him the way how to put theological, philosophical and rhetorical understanding into musical practice. Singing with Harry van der Kamp in his Gesualdo Consort he fell in love with 16th century humanistic poetry and with the most eminent Dutch composer of all time: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. At the same time, being a member of the soloist ensemble of the Dutch Bach Society, he discovered the wondrous world of 17th century music under the guidance of Jos van Veldhoven. As a soloist he also worked with Camerata Trajectina, Combattimento Consort, Brisk Recorder Quartett Amsterdam, The Northern Consort, The Spirit of Gambo and Weser-Renaissance. The Flemish composer Walter Hus dedicated a song cycle to him: Francesco's Paradox, on a cycle of poems by the Flemish poet Stefan Hertmans.
Since its founding and to this very day Peter de Groot is a member of Ton Koopman’s Amsterdam Baroque Choir of which he is now the Choirmaster. Regulary he sang as a soloist in concerts and on cd’s with this ensemble and conductor as well. The last few years De Groot works as conducting assistant to Ton Koopman in the Bach-workshops in Paris. He also is invited almost every other year as guest conductor at the festival 'Itinéraire Baroque' Ton Koopman founded in the Dordogne.
Singing with the Dutch Chamber Choir he met Paul Van Nevel. De Groot was invited the same year (1994) to join the Huelgas Ensemble. It turned out to be a turning point in the career of Peter de Groot. Touched by the kiss of the Muse of the Renaissance, he decided to dedicate the rest of his musical career mainly to the polyphonic heritage of the Low Countries. He considers himself as a pupil of the great Belgian maestro.
Peter de Groot was artistic leader of the Egidius Kwartet. This male vocal quarted was founded in 1995 with the aim of performing Renaissance and contemporary music from the Low Countries (in the broadest possible sense). In 2009 De Groot took the initiative to revive a unique Dutch 16th century collection of the choir books of the city of Leiden.
In order to do so the Egidius College was founded; an ensemble of highly qualified and specilalised singers in Renaissance music.
Due to subsidy cuts the ensemble was forced to end its existance in 2018.
Since its founding and to this very day Peter de Groot is a member of Ton Koopman’s Amsterdam Baroque Choir of which he is now the Choirmaster. Regulary he sang as a soloist in concerts and on cd’s with this ensemble and conductor as well. The last few years De Groot works as conducting assistant to Ton Koopman in the Bach-workshops in Paris. He also is invited almost every other year as guest conductor at the festival 'Itinéraire Baroque' Ton Koopman founded in the Dordogne.
Singing with the Dutch Chamber Choir he met Paul Van Nevel. De Groot was invited the same year (1994) to join the Huelgas Ensemble. It turned out to be a turning point in the career of Peter de Groot. Touched by the kiss of the Muse of the Renaissance, he decided to dedicate the rest of his musical career mainly to the polyphonic heritage of the Low Countries. He considers himself as a pupil of the great Belgian maestro.
Peter de Groot was artistic leader of the Egidius Kwartet. This male vocal quarted was founded in 1995 with the aim of performing Renaissance and contemporary music from the Low Countries (in the broadest possible sense). In 2009 De Groot took the initiative to revive a unique Dutch 16th century collection of the choir books of the city of Leiden.
In order to do so the Egidius College was founded; an ensemble of highly qualified and specilalised singers in Renaissance music.
Due to subsidy cuts the ensemble was forced to end its existance in 2018.