|
The Dutch bass, Jan Douwes, studied singing at the Rotterdams Conservatorium and theology at Universiteit Leiden. His musical education began with piano lessons and choral singing from the age of 8. From 1991 he was a member of various chamber choirs in the Netherlands and abroad. He also participated in a large number of choral projects. From 2000 he took singing lessons with Carolyn Watkinson, Frans Huijts and David Wilson-Johnson, among others. In April 2006 he graduated with Roberta Alexander. He attended master-classes with Elisabeth Söderström, Thomas Quasthoff, Jard van Nes, Rachel-Ann Morgan, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Robert Holl, Nico van der Meel, Kelvin Grout and Meinard Kraak, among others.
Jan Douwes has performed solo parts in J.S. Bach's Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244), Johannes-Passion (BWV 245); Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen by Gustav Mahler, various cantatas by J.S. Bach and W.A. Mozart, Magnificat by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; Samson and Saul by George Frideric Handel; Petite Messe Solennelle by Rossini, Via Crucis by Franz Liszt, Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, Polnì Mše by B. Martinú, Passio by Arvo Pärt and played the role of Tiger Brown in Kurt Weill's Die Dreigroschenoper. He was also part of the vocal ensemble in Orfeo by Monteverdi by Xynix Opera Productions. He was featured in the opera Curlew River by Benjamin Britten by Muziektheater Hollands Diep. Conductors with whom he has worked include Arie van Beek, Jan Willem de Vriend, John Eliot Gardiner, Frans Brüggen, Ed Spanjaard, Kenneth Montgomery and Marcus Creed.
In 2007 Jan Douwes was a guest member of OperaStudio Nederland. In February 2008 he sang the male title role in George Frideric Handel's Apollo e Dafne, a production of the Internationale Handel-Akademie in collaboration with the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe. In 2010, he participated in 'Inflatable Trust Inc.' of Fast Opera Productions and sang Alidoro in the production of La Cenerentola (RAP) by the Nationale Reisopera, and Mityucha in Boris Godunov by Music theater Hollands Diep. In addition to performing solo parts in cantatas, oratorios and music theater productions, chamber music also has his attention; he can regularly be heard in recitals with work by various composers.
Jan Douwes sings in various professional choirs, including Cappella Amsterdam (Director: Daniel Reuss), Nederlands Kamerkoor (Director: Peter Dijkstra), Collegium Vocale Gent (Director: Philippe Herreweghe), Laurens Collegium Rotterdam (Director: Wiecher Mandemaker), and Vocalconsort Berlin. |
