The Dutch soprano, Heleen Koele, rounded off her solo voice studies at the Conservatory of Zwolle in 1991. Thereafter she was coached by Cora Canne Meijer, and currently by Charlotte Margiono.
Heleen Koele is active in as many areas of her profession as possible. For instance, together with pianist Steven Faber she forms a duo which gives song recitals throughout the country. They also recently recorded a CD of songs about youth, entitled: ”I am a person too”, a CD which was very well received by the press. She has performed the Four Last Songs of Richard Strauss with the Netherlands Youth Orchestra conducted by Jurjen Hempel.
Heleen Koele also loves singing and acting in opera repertoire, for example in the title role in Suor Angelica and the role of Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. Furthermore, she is much in demand for oratorio, and as such has sung many diverse works: from J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) to Verdi’s Requiem.
Heleen Koele has been a member of the Nederlands Kamerkoor since 1998, and has also sung many solos in that context, e.g. in W.A. Mozart’s Requiem conducted by Jaap van Zweden and in Thamos under Kenneth Montgomery.
Her recent appearance as soloist in Johannes Brahms’ Requiem with the Nederlands Kamerkoor and Marcus Creed was a huge success. One quote from the press: “The most warmth was radiated by soprano Heleen Koele. Her gilt-edged voice infused “Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit” with a rare and intense glow.” |