The Dutch contralto/mezzosoprano, Léonie [Leonie] Korff, studied with Jo Bollekamp and Ruud van der Meer at the Rotterdams Conservatorium. In order to qualify further, she participated in master-classes Elly Ameling, Robert Holl, Meinard Kraak, Arleen Augér, Horst Günter and Sarah Walker, among others. Today she is coached by Meinard Kraak.
Her versatility is reflected in a vast repertoire, from Baroque to music of the 20th century. As a much sought after soloist, Léonie Korff has sung all Passions, Mass in B minor (BWV 232) and many cantatas by J.S. Bach; Messiah and Theodora by George Frideric Handel; Petite Messe Solennelle and Stabat Mater by G. Rossini; Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn, Requiem and various Masses by W.A. Mozart; Stabat Mater by A. Dvorak; Requiem by G. Verdi, and many others.
As an opera singer, Léonie Korff has performed roles in several operas including: Sorceres in Dido and Aeneas by H. Purcell; Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro by W.A. Mozart; Zelatrice in Suor Agelica by G. Puccini; Noye's Wife in Noye's Fludde by Benjamin Britten and recently she sang the role of Cuniza in Oberto by Verdi. She also sang Orfeo in concert performances of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice.
Léonie Korff is also very active as a singer of Lieder. She frequently gives recitels and is also part of the permanent soloist of the Vereniging Vrienden van het Lied (Association Friends of the Song). She sang several major cycles as Les Nuits d'Ete by H. Berlioz; Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler; Songs and Dances of Death by M. Mussorgsky and Opus 13 by A. Zemlinsky. She also regularly works on productions of the Nederlanse Opera, Nederlands Kamerkoor and Groot Omroepkoor (Netherlands Radio Choir). |