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The Dutch counter-tenor, Dave ten Kate, started singing soprano in a boys choir at a very young age. Here he received his first singing lessons from Gregor Bak and Sipke de Jong. After junior school he studied at the Royal Concervatory in The Hague with Rita Dams and Wout Oosterkamp and later received lessons from Marjan Kuiper. Powered by the Dutch Foundation VandenEnde, he attended lessons by Martha Sharp, Johannes Effertz-Wolf, Monika Lentz and Adriaan de Wit at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. From that moment he received praise for the many possibilities that his voice had. At the beginning of his career, he was selected for a master-class given by Michael Chance. His participation was seen on national television during 'Masterclass’. Michael Chance spoke of Dave’s great talent and predicted an international career.
Dave is a much sought after soloist. His repertoire includes, St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) and the Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) by J.S. Bach, Theodora and Judas Maccabaeus by George Frideric Handel. He also sings in operas by a.o G.F. Handel, Gluck, W.A. Mozart, Purcell and Monteverdi. Dave is also asked to sing for modern composers and to perform musical pieces by a.o Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms and songs by Sondheim.
His versatility is also seen in musical theater, where his passion and talent for both singing and acting is perfectly reflected. He can be seen regularly in the theater world where he exercises these skills. Dave ten Kate is regularly asked to perform live music for the ballet (a.o Dutch National Ballet) and to record his singing voice for films. Along with several pianists and other musicians he gives recitals in which he performs colorful programs, based on a wide spectrum of musical genres. His performances have been described as “a pleasure to the ears and the heart.”
Dave ten Kate is greatly active in the castrato repertoire, an area in which a highly musical and technical level is required, characteristics which are all well represented in his voice. Regardless of the register in which the voice operates, especially in the high passages, one can speak of a continuously pleasant smoothness. His passion for the opera is well recognized and it is there that his voice has so much color and height that it has led to requests for him to perform in many countries.
A number of new parts and roles are coming up, including the title role in Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice and Sesto in Giulio Cesare by G.F. Handel. |
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“With certainty it can be said that countertenor Dave ten Kate is one of the most important musical discoveries of our country. Referring to his part in Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, it is brightly clear that we are dealing with a vocalist of an unprecedented high level of technique combined with a deeply emotional and musical engagement. Moreover the character of his voice stands out with its sometimes silvery lightness and a perfect smoothness. The voice in itself is settled in a benevolent wideness, meaning that, regardless the register in which it operates, we can speak of a continuous pleasant limberness. After René Jacobs, Michael Chance and Andreas Scholl, a new star has risen above the vocal skies. Clearly, the world can expect to hear a lot from this musician for many years to come” (Written by Maarten Brandt, musicologist). |
