The first edition of the International Song Festival Zeist took place from Tuesday 17 to Sunday 22 May 2016. Responsible for the festival is the International Song Festival Zeist Foundation. The foundation was established on 5 June 2015. The first edition of the festival was entirely dedicated to the ultimate song composer Franz Schubert.
Target
Putting song (back) on the map in the Netherlands for a wide audience, that is the central mission of the International Song Festival Zeist. By organising an annual festival. By making innovative connections between rich tradition and modern interpretation. By bringing contemporary internationally renowned song interpreters into contact with new generations. By promoting talent development in the field of classical music. By giving the audience the opportunity not only to enjoy listening, but also to actively participate in the festival themselves. By choosing an attractive and green location with fantastic acoustics, at a central, easily accessible spot in the country: the Church of the Evangelical Brotherhood in the leafy surroundings of Slot Zeist. See here the objectives of this new initiative. This begs the question: how did this initiative come about?
Initiator Steven Matthijsen: "In July 2014, I said to my wife Marjon: 'Surely the human voice is the most beautiful instrument.' Not for nothing are there piano pedagogues who say that a pianist actually has to learn to sing too in order to play well. Also, the cello - my own instrument - is often considered the most lilting of all instruments. Memories of my singing lessons during my student days surfaced. For instance, on our wedding day, I sang for Marjon Du holde Kunst, ich danke dir by Franz Schubert sung.
From the Zeister Music Days, I knew Marcel Jansen. He was director of the Zeister Music School, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary at the time. Marcel who, as it turned out, likes and sings a lot himself, was enthusiastic about the plan for a song festival and with him I held several sessions to flesh out the idea.
In the spring of 2015, I came into contact with Aat Klompenhouwer, the president of the Friends of the Song Association and very involved in all things classical song. Aat himself was also toying with thought for a festival and I was delighted that he was also immediately enthusiastic: with all his years of national and international contacts including those with Robert Holl and Elly Ameling, Aat was obviously the ideal man for artistic matters. Robert Holl was no stranger, by the way, as he had also performed as part of the Zeister Muziekdagen in the past.
And so within a few months, we had not only a complete song festival board but also a friends foundation together. From the summer of 2015, we worked hard and in May 2016 the first festival took place. A festival of international stature, under the inspiring, artistic direction of Robert Holl."
The first festival was followed by annual enthusiastically received editions. 2020 should have been a festive year, but the first lustrum had to be cancelled because of the corona pandemic and in September, Aat Klompenhouwer died. Two high-impact events. But the festival stands like a house and has quickly gained a prominent place in the Dutch and European music landscape. After leading five successful editions, Robert Holl handed over artistic leadership to Henk Neven and Hans Eijsackers in 2022.
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Oxford Song
Schubertiada Vilabertran
IVC
VvhL
Idea art house
EBG
Royal Conservatoire
Song duo competition
Municipality of Zeist
Province of Utrecht
August Fentener van Vlissingen
Carel Nengerman
The Lancey
Dioraphte
Elise Mathilde
Elja foundation
Fentener van Vlissingen SHV
KFHein
Culture Fund
Sena Performers
Woudschoten
van Baaren foundation
Van den Berch van Heemstede
Van Bijlevelt Foundation
Truus and Gerrit van Riemsdijk Stiftung
Mien van 't Sant Fund
Lisman + Lisman
Broekhuis
Counts
