|
The Dutch mezzo-soprano, Maria den Hertog, studied, after a preparatory study with Margaret Roest, with Meinard Kraak at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag (1984-1989) and obtained the diploma of teaching musician in 1989; she attended master-classes with John Cage (modern music), Jard van Nes and Robert Holl (Romantic Lieder) and with William Christie she sang in productions by Rameau and Lully; he described her voice as "great lyrical".
Because of her range and special color Maria den Hertog sings both alto and 2nd soprano parts in the oratorio field (Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria, J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor BWV 232), as well as as mezzo-roles in opera (eg Georges Bizet's Carmen). In 2000 she played the lead role of Maria in Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story on the Netherlands Antilles in an antillean production in Philipsburg. The more dramatic music for mezzo-soprano is particularly suitable for her voice such as L. Vierne's Les Angelus by L. Vierne and Maurice Duruflé's Requiem. But also in G. Rossini's Petite messe solennelle, she is a much sought-after alto soloist, as well as in Johannes Brahms' Alto Rhapsody and the cantatas and oratorios of J.S. Bach, George Frideric Handel, Felix Mendelssohn and many others.
In 2009 Maria den Hertog released her solo CD on "Bereite dich", with German Baroque and French Romantic literature for mezzo and organ / piano. She sang for a number of years in the Groot Omroepkoor as a substitute.
Together with Paula Bär-Giese and Hans Meijer Maria den Hertog is currently active in the interpretation of music from Martin Luther's life and a duet program with Dowland music; with Anna Karpenko (organ) she regularly gives concerts and with pianist Ineke Opstal she gives an open (house) concert.
Since 2004 Maria den Hertog has been very active as a conductor of 2 a-capella choirs in Amersfoort and Leusden, with which she gives concerts every year. In recent years, oratorios by A. Vivaldi and J.S. Bach's Weihnachts-Oratorium (BWV 248) have been performed at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amersfoort. In 2007 and 2012 she attended the Kurt Thomas course for choral conducting and in 2015 she successfully obtained the degree in choral conducting at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht. In March 2016 she started the Veluws Vocaal, 12 good singers with whom she studies and performs beautiful a-capella music.
In addition, Maria den Hertog has an extensive teaching practice for young and old and she gives workshops (Western) choral singing / voice formation at home and abroad. She currently lives in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. |
