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The Dutch bass-baritone, Robert-Jan Agricola, studied Classical Languages at Universiteit van Leiden and Classical Singing at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag, with Rita Dams among others. In recent years, he has studied with Meinard Kraak, Marjan Kuiper and at the International Studio of Vocal Arts of James McCray. He is currently taking lessons with Sasja Hunnego and David Visser.
Robert-Jan Agricola is active as a professional singer since February 2000. As a choir singer, he has sung with numerous professional choirs, including Cappella Amsterdam (Director: Daniel Reuss), Laurens Collegium Rotterdam (Director: Wiecher Mandemaker), PA'dam (Director: Maria van Nieukerken), The Gents and the World Chamber Choir.
For a few years now, his passion has mainly been working as a soloist. J.S. Bach's Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 and Johannes-Passion BWV 245 hold a special place for him. He has performed the solo roles in these works several times, including with Bachkoor Holland accompanied by the Concertgebouw Kamerorkest. He also took on the role of Aeneas in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas twice. In recent years, he has also performed George Frideric Handel's Messiah, Monteverdi’s Mariavespers and W.A. Mozart's Requiem.
Robert-Jan is also active as a speaker/voice actor. In 2015, he played the role of master storyteller in a special version J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion BWV 245 and this year he can be heard as a singer and storyteller in a project about Dante's La Divina Commedia.
He has worked with conductors such as Peter Dijkstra, Paul Hillier, Tõnu Kaljuste and Daniel Reuss; he has collaborated on CD and DVD recordings of Cappella Amsterdam, The Gents and Within Temptation and performed with Typhoon in Paradiso. His (solo) voice has also been heard abroad: he has toured China, South Africa, Italy and Switzerland. He currently lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. |
