January 15, 2007: Volume 69, Number 3

Concert to feature mezzo soprano, pianist Sunday

Mezzo soprano Christianne Stotijn and pianist Joseph Breinl will perform a program of Mahler, Schubert, Strauss and Ives Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel as part of the College's Chamber Concert Series.

The Delft-born Stotijn and Munich native Breinl, who work together regularly, have performed in top recital venues and with leading orchestras throughout the world. Both are impeccably trained and have received numerous honors.

Born in 1977, Stotijn studied violin and voice at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, gaining her solo diploma for violin in 2000. She continued her vocal studies with Udo Reinemann at the Conservatoires of Amsterdam and Metz, where she graduated in 2003 with the highest distinction in both song recital and opera.

She has won several prizes. A finalist in the International Wettbewerb fur Liedkunst (Stuttgart) in 2001, she also won the 2005/06 ECHO Rising Stars and 2005 Borletti Buitoni Award.

She has given many concerts and recitals in her own country and abroad with appearances in important venues throughout Europe and the United States.

Highlights of past engagements include Mahler's Rückert Lieder with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Orchestre National de Paris at the Theatre des Champs Elysees, conducted by Bernard Haitink; Handel's Messiah at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam; Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and Kindertotenlieder and Brahms' Alto Rhapsody with Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse and La Roque D'Antheron Festival. 

Her oratorio performances have included Bach's Magnificat, the St. John and St. Matthew Passions at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam; the Duruflé Requiem, which she recorded for Channel Classics; Mozart's Requiem with Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Claus Peter Flor; and most recently, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with Concerto Koln and Orchestre des Champs-Elysees, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe.

In 2003, Stotijn made her operatic debut with the Nationale Reisopera, singing Carilda in Händel's Arianna in Creta. In the 2004-05 season, she made her debut at the Paris Opera as Pauline in Pique Dame. Future operatic engagements include Isabella in L'Italiana in Algeri at the Aix en Provence Festival and Varvara in Katya Kabanova at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. 

Future recital and concert engagements include Des Knaben Wunderhorn with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth; Mahler 2nd Symphony with the Netherlands National Youth Orchestra; and Das Lied von der Erde with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, also conducted by Wigglesworth.

She also has invitations for recitals at Wigmore Hall, London, and the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.

Concert tickets are free for the Union community, $20 for the general public and $10 for area students. For information, call 388-6080 or 372-3651; or visit http://www.union.edu/concertseries.

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