Jan-Willem Schaafsma studied with Rita Dams, Barbara Pearson and Diane Forlano at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. There he took part in master classes with Charlotte Margiono, Jill Feldman, Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Graham Clarke, among others.
After his studies, he sang Dr Cajus in Falstaff (Verdi), Lysander in A Midsummer Nights Dream (British) and Belmonte from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart). In 2006, he performed at the NPS ZaterdagMatinee Fanciulla del West (Puccini) conducted by Edo de Waart. With Opera Trionfo, he performed the role of Guglielmo in Viva la Mamma (adaptation of Donizettis Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali). In 2007, he toured with the National Travel Opera production La Barca(Banchieri) throughout the Netherlands. In spring 2009, he played the title role in the opera Phaëton by Lully under the direction of Pieter Dirksen. He also regularly sings solo with orchestras and in oratorios.
Since 2006, Jan-Willem has also been part of the ensemble Frommermann, which caused a furore with a revival of the work of the Comedian Harmonists and regularly stages new light-hearted productions. In addition, his qualities as an opera singer are also expressed outside the opera stage in Taralli, a male ensemble of four singers and a pianist from the VvhL ranks, which was founded in 2016.
In 2009, Jan-Willem Schaafsma joined the Friends of Song's soloist roster with pianist Wijnand van Klaveren. In particular, their repertoire included works by British composers such as Roger Quilter and Frank Bridge. Since 2016, he has formed a song duo with Phyllis Ferwerda.
Jan-Willem Schaafsma, tenor
Phyllis Ferwerda, piano
The title refers to the song Nichts by Richard Strauss, but with an exclamation mark. The focus of this programme is on German and French Romanticism, with, in addition to songs by Strauss, the cycle Dichterliebe by Schumann and works by Duparc. A recital for lovers of the main theme of Love - poetic or otherwise - and yes, who isn't?
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