JANUARY 2025: a strange 'debut' at the canaries ;)
Freshly 68 years old, I have finally sung something I hadn't the chance to sing when I was a boy and I have always wanted to sing: the cantus firmus (soprano in ripieno part) of JS Bach's Matthew Passion (due to a lack of a local childrens choir at the Canaries). One could say I made a retrograde in my 'career'. Well, it was just marvellous. I sang together with Elisabeth Breuer, Merel van Geest and Carolina Andrade.
Merel and I are as of now for hire as a MP childrenschoir substitute. Just wait booking us until our marine costumes are ready. ;)
Merel and I are as of now for hire as a MP childrenschoir substitute. Just wait booking us until our marine costumes are ready. ;)
TON KOOPMAN ACADEMY 27-31 JAN. 2025 ROYAL CONSERVATORY THE HAGUE
I was honoured and happy to teach young singers and choristers at the Ton Koopman Academy.
What does it take to be a professional early music ensemble singer?
We had a marvellous week in which we had for once, finally, a bit of time to go into details.
On the musicstands we had music by G.F. Händel: Watermusic and Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline
JS Bach Markus passion in köln
20 years ago Ton Koopman made a reconstruction of JS Bach's Markus Passion. We even made a cd of it. The Gürzenich-Orchester Köln asked the maestro to perform it again, with them (modern pitch!) and with us, the Amsterdam Baroque Choir.
The combination of the two ensembles was quite frankly a love affair. In 2027 we're back in Kôln, to do Mozarts Requiem with them.
The combination of the two ensembles was quite frankly a love affair. In 2027 we're back in Kôln, to do Mozarts Requiem with them.
may 2025
G.F. HÄNDEL: DEBORAH !
maybe the best, loveliest and most heartwarming
production ever of the ABO&C
Just have a look at the pictures here below. Passion & fun & happiness evaporates from every image. (Most of them taken, by the way, by Donald Bentvelsen ! Bravo Donald.)
Here is a little impression of the premiere concert in Utrecht, Jacobi Kerk, 22 may 2025. But mind you, it's just a video I made with my mobile phone.
And yes, it resembles 'Dixit Dominus', Händel recycled it in a magnificent way.
And yes, it resembles 'Dixit Dominus', Händel recycled it in a magnificent way.
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JUNE 2025
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14 SEPTEMBER: LES DAMES D'ARBONNE
Many years ago I led for the first time an all female ensemble in one our Arbonne music weekends, Codex Montpellier, an adventure that gave apetite for more. Since then, we did quite a few of similar ladies-only projects. Sunday 14th of september 2025 we had the great pleasure to sing gregorian based repertoire for the feast of 'ND de sept douleurs' in the packed church of st Martin sur Ocre (Yonne). A very nice and uplifitng concert, sung by seven lovely, courageous and enthusiastic ladies.
Many years ago I led for the first time an all female ensemble in one our Arbonne music weekends, Codex Montpellier, an adventure that gave apetite for more. Since then, we did quite a few of similar ladies-only projects. Sunday 14th of september 2025 we had the great pleasure to sing gregorian based repertoire for the feast of 'ND de sept douleurs' in the packed church of st Martin sur Ocre (Yonne). A very nice and uplifitng concert, sung by seven lovely, courageous and enthusiastic ladies.
photos de Yves Montélimard-Andarelli
L'itinéraire grégorien des dames d'arbonne 20-21 sep 2025
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the seven “Dames d’Arbonne” presented a unique travelling concert. On September 20 and 21, they performed Gregorian chants in ten churches located in the heart of the Aillantais, Jovinien, Migennois, Auxerrois, and Puisaye regions. Travelling by minibus, they went from church to church. The program, the same at each venue, lasted no longer than twenty minutes. Rather than a normal concert is was a short invitation to rediscover the music in the place where it has always been deeply intertwined with prayer and architecture. Each church offered a unique acoustic experience.
may 2025
G.F. HÄNDEL: ATHALIA !
Here just a few picture souvenirs of yet another great Händel project to celebrate Ton Koopman's 80th birthday.
It was marvellous again. Concerts were in Amsterdam, Laren, Eindhoven, Locarno, and Udine.
Soloists were: Athalia Suzanne Jerosme, Josabeth Ilse Eerens, Joad Tim Mead, Mathan Kieran White, Abner Andreas Wolf
and the little role of Joas was sung by ABC member Merel van Geest
It was marvellous again. Concerts were in Amsterdam, Laren, Eindhoven, Locarno, and Udine.
Soloists were: Athalia Suzanne Jerosme, Josabeth Ilse Eerens, Joad Tim Mead, Mathan Kieran White, Abner Andreas Wolf
and the little role of Joas was sung by ABC member Merel van Geest
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OperaClick critic Andrea Bomben 25 october 2025, quote: "The performance by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir under the direction of Ton Koopman confirmed the exceptionally high standard of an ensemble that has become synonymous with stylistic rigor and interpretative vitality. The philological approach never sacrificed the brilliance of the musical gesture, restoring to Handel’s Athalia its full dramatic and theatrical breadth. The choir was undoubtedly the focal point of the performance: compact, precise, and capable of conveying the intricate interplay of its sections with clarity and color, within a sound balance of great transparency. Truly superb, with little more to add: every choral intervention displayed cohesion and expressive involvement."
Well done Ton, we love you. Cheers. All pictures are taken by Donald Bentvelsen |
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