about Vrienden van het Lied

In 1961, out of love for art song, the Vrienden van het Lied (Friends of Lieder association) was founded. Originally intended as chamber music, art song flourished in the nineteenth century as never before. It inspired many composers, musicians and audiences and many still famous songs and cycles then premiered in private salons. The Vrienden van het Lied continues to build on this tradition with song recitals in intimate settings. This way, the association wishes to spread the love for art song among professional musicians, composers, amateur musicians and the public.

song recitals

Jan Willem Baljet-Jacobus den Herder-3 juli_1200x800-2

About 60 song recitals are organized in the association’s 22 regions each year, reviving the old tradition of the private salon. Private living rooms, churches or small concert halls provide a perfect ambience that matches the origins of art song. They offer listeners a chance to enjoy renowned musicians whose impressive careers often jumpstarted with the association’s recitals. The annual audition allows new talent to join the association. This way, Vrienden van het Lied offers young, promising musicians a platform to gain exposure and build repertoire.

amateur musicians

In regions where many members are active as amateur singers or pianists, the association organizes members-for-members concerts about once a year. Members from outside that area, non-members and professional singers from within the region can often also participate. The association set up song interpretation courses for advanced amateur singers and their pianists in the recent past. The Vrienden van het Lied still has the ambition to offer a broader stage to enthusiastic amateur singers.

member magazine

Members receive the semi-annual member magazine De Liedvriend, containing interviews with the association’s musicians, background stories on old and new repertoire and reviews of recent publications and recordings.

Do you have news or would you like to submit an article? Mail to liedvriend@vvhl.nl.

For information about placing advertisements and the rates, please contact Dinant Krouwel, liedvriend@vvhl.nl.

day of song

DvhL_Opening studenten_(c) Leo Samama-4

Every year the association organizes the Day of Song, which often has a central theme. For example, on the occasion of the association’s 50th anniversary in 2011, there was the Feest voor het Lied, a Hugo Wolf Day in 2013, a Johannes Brahms Day in 2014, a Mendelssohn Day in 2015 and a Day of Theatrical Song in 2016. Since 2019, these days take place in close collaboration with the Internationaal Lied Festival Zeist.

friends and more

Members can visit all recitals free of charge, while non-members pay an entrance fee.  A reduced rate applies to youngsters. As a member of the association, we call you a Friend of song.

Would you like to do more? Become our Best Friend or Patron.

organisation

Leo Samama, chairman
send an email >

Dinant Krouwel, secretary
Tel:+31 30 273 57 81
send an email >

Frank Bakx, treasurer
Tel. +31 30 691 32 02
send an email >

Eugenie Ditewigmember of the board

Hanneke Taatmember of the board
send an email >

Joost van der Linden, member of the board website & social media
send an email >

Address:
Heycopstraat 24
3521 EN Utrecht
The Netherlands

Cécile van de Santchairman / mezzo-soprano
send an email >
read biography (Dutch) >

Francine van der Heijden, soprano
read biography (Dutch) >

Maarten Hillenius, pianist
read biography (Dutch) >

Claudia Patacca, soprano
read biography (Dutch) >

Femke de Graaf, pianist
read biography (Dutch) >

Jan Willem Baljet, baritone
read biography (Dutch) >

Henriette Feith, soprano
read biography (Dutch) >

Annette Ovink, chairperson/contracts
Tel. +31 (0)541 517 516
send an email >

Marie-Louise Beerling, concert programmes and lyrics
Tel. +31 (0)30 691 32 02
Tel: +31 (0)6 365 54 490
send an email >

Marja Henneman, concert programmes and lyrics
Tel. +31 (0)6 206 22 052
send an mail >

Henk Gierveld, bookings
Tel. +31 (0)6 525 96 755
 
Ed Nozeman, bookings
Tel. +31 (0)6 543 71 156
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Dinant Krouweleditor
Tel. +31 30 – 273 57 81
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Joost van der Lindenredactie
Tel. +31 6 483 312 29
send an email >

Dick Buld
Frans Eggink
Annette Ovink
Lodewijk Meeuwsen

Elly Ameling, soprano

Huub van Dael, chairman multiple music organisations

Rudolf Jansen, pianist

Arthur Japin, writer

Ruud van der Meer, bass-baritone

Jard van Nes, mezzo-soprano

Thomas Oliemans,baritone

Gabriël Oostvogel, former director Music Hall de Doelen

Christoph Prégardien, tenor

Ed Spanjaard, conductor

Wilma van der Stappen
tel. 06 – 338 58 183
send an email >

regions

Babs en Nico Witteman, +31 (0)6 44722104
Adrienne van den Bogaard en Maarten Boelsma
Contact: amsterdam@vvhl.nl

Renee ter Braake, +31 (0)6 22795414.
Contact: arnhem-wageningen@vvhl.nl

Voor de regio Arnhem-Wageningen zijn wij op zoek naar een tweede contactpersoon. Zin om deze inspirerende en motiverende functie te gaan vervullen? Neem dan snel contact met ons op: info@vvhl.nl

Liesbeth Reijerkerk (contactpersoon a.i.)
+31 (0)6 42474509

Voor de regio Den Haag zijn wij op zoek naar een nieuwe contactpersoon. Zin om deze inspirerende en motiverende functie te gaan vervullen? Neem dan snel contact met ons op: info@vvhl.nl

Voor de regio Friesland zijn wij op zoek naar een nieuwe contactpersoon. Zin om deze inspirerende en motiverende functie te gaan vervullen? Neem dan snel contact met ons op: info@vvhl.nl

Marina Besselink
Peter Wieringa
Contact: haarlem@vvhl.nl

vrienden en meer

Mette-Lise Boumeester, +31 (0)71 5890417
Contact: leiden@vvhl.nl

Voor de regio Limburg zijn wij op zoek naar een nieuwe contactpersoon. Zin om deze inspirerende en motiverende functie te gaan vervullen? Neem dan snel contact met ons op: info@vvhl.nl

Bertien Keijser-Huijts, +31 (0)24 3233803
Herman Stekhoven, +31 (0)487 532151
Contact: nijmegen@vvhl.nl

Marianne van den Heuvel, +31 (0)10 4837265
Liesbeth Reijerkerk, +31 (0)6 42474509
contact: rotterdam@vvhl.nl

Cora de Kovel-vd Reepe, +31 (0)341 253329
Geessien Hutten, +31 (0)525 681171
Contact: veluwe@vvhl.nl

Addy Nieuwenhuize-Harting, +31 (0)118 625284
Contact: zeeland@vvhl.nl

Ellen Steffers Dekker +31 (0)522 451026
Contact: zwolle@vvhl.nl