Song is a great love of mezzo-soprano Leonore van Sloten. With pianist Mignon Gotzsch, she joined our society's soloists in 2008. Baroque music also has her interest. As Huygens Duo She performs concerts around Dutch 17e-century lute song, initially with lutenist/theorbist Arjen Verhage, now with lutenist and musicologist Willem Mook. Leonore van Sloten studied art history at the University of Amsterdam and singing at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Udo Reinemann and Pierre Mak. After her studies, she was coached by Marieke Steenhoek and Marion van den Akker. Leonore took master classes with several prominent singers and accompanists.
Huygens Duo
Leonore van Sloten, mezzo-soprano
Willem Mook, lute/theorbo
In this programme the Huygens Duo the love story between Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) and his ‘Star’, Suzanna van Baerle (1599-1637). As a diplomat and secretary to the stadholder, Huygens was a good catch for an erudite lady like Suzanna. However, she was hard to get chessed with. But the persistence of Constantine's advances eventually led to a marriage in special equality, mutual respect and shared happiness. So when Suzanna died at a young age, it meant immense personal grief for Constantine. He would outlive his Sterre by many years but would never remarry. Using letters, poems and arias by Constantijn Huygens and composers who influenced him, such as Michel Lambert and Nicholas Lanier, the Huygens Duo will take you through this intense love story. You will also experience what beautiful music this Dutch uomo universalis has left us.
Huygens Duo
Leonore van Sloten, mezzo-soprano
Willem Mook, lute/theorbo
Drawing on the international musical context, the Huygens Duo in this programme a wonderful picture of the backgrounds of song culture in the Low Countries. The complicated love lives of several 17the-In the course of the programme, we will hear about a number of songs and poems by Constantijn Huygens about his personal love life. But of course, Constantijn Huygens also plays a special role in this programme: through songs and poems by him, we will learn more about his personal love life. You will hear songs, poems and solo works for lute or theorbo by a.o: Hubert Waelrant, Pieter Cornelisz. Hooft, Jacob Cats, Gesina ter Borch, Antoine Boesset, Michel Lambert, John Dowland, Giuglio Caccini, Constantijn Huygens.
