In memory of his partner, he decided to pass on her love for the lied to the next generation. He wrote to us about it:
‘My late partner Helga Blankenstijn came from a musical litter. Father played the piano and mother sang. She and her younger brother Edwin were therefore encouraged in their musical education. Edwin chose the violin and became a professional violinist. Helga took singing lessons at the conservatory which initially went well. But after a year, she got another teacher who discovered in the very first lesson that she could not read notes. Helga didn't see the problem, “just sing for me and I'll know”, but that was beyond her. In her wilfulness, she then threw in the towel.
In the time I knew her, she expressed regret about that more than once. And rightly so, I think, because she really had a beautiful speaking and singing voice. For a while she sang in a male choir(!) where the conductor had to keep her firmly in check if she didn't want her “dramatic” alto to stand out above all the guys.
After her sudden death, I came up with the idea to set aside an amount from her estate to support singers. That in her name, young people who have already overcome the necessary hurdles would receive support to perfect their voice and singing ... If my Helga had known this, she would have been surprised at first and then, laughing out loud, agreed.’
The festival is extremely grateful to this generous donor for his support of the festival and the loving memory of his partner that this shows.