The Dutch mezzo-soprano and musicologist, Iris Ida Bouman, started singing at a young age but was also very interested in music theory and the history of music, so she decided to pursue a career in both the practical and the theoretical side of music. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Musicology from Utrecht University and Humboldt University Berlin, specialising in early music, especially the so-called “musical riddles” from the 15th and 16th century.
Iris Bouman completed her Research Master in Musicology at Utrecht University (since 2017) and the Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg (September 2016-March 2017), focussing on the connection between music and politics in the 20th and 21st century. During her Bachelor Voice she studied with Karin van der Poel (Classical Singing, Utrecht Conservatory) and Gundula Anders (Early Music Voice, Hochschule für Musik Leipzig). In addition, she followed an honours programme in early music at Utrecht Conservatory. Currently (since September 2021) she is studying in the Master Early Music Voice at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with mezzo-soprano Xenia Meijer (since . She followed master-classes with Peter Kooij, Alexander Oliver, Boudewijn Jansen and Marc Pantus.
As an oratory soloist, Iris Bouman sang, among other things: J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion (BWV 245), Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) and Weihnachts-Oratorium (BWV 248); George Frideric Handel's Dixit Dominus, Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s Sieben Letzte Worte, Gabriel Fauré's Requiem and Felix Mendelssohn's Elias. In addition to her solo career, she is a part of The Hague Baroque ensemble Musica Poetica and Utrecht-based Ensemble Cantorex, a vocal quartet specialising in Renaissance repertoire and freelance alto with Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir (Director: Ton Koopman; since April 2022). |