Programme
L. Van Hove – Nacht stilte
O. Gjeilo – Northern Lights
Mendelssohn – Six Lieder in Freien zu Singen
- Frühlingsahnung
- Die Primel
- Frühlingsfeier
- Lerchengesang
- Morgengebet
- Herbstlied
Nees – May-Day
Hindemith – Six Chansons
Hensel – Gartenlieder
- Abendlich schon rauscht der Wald
- Schöne Fremde
- Im Wald
Vivente Voce
Performers
In 2015 Vivente Voce, based in Gent, Belgium, celebrated its 25th birthday. Over the years, the choir has built a solid reputation and is known for its versatile repertoire and the high quality of its performances. It is composed of over 40 trained and experienced singers who devote themselves enthusiastically to their passion.
The choir performs vocal music running from the baroque era, to the classical and romantic eras, and through to contemporary music. Highlights include performances of J.M. Haydn’s Requiem in C, J.S. Bach’s Hohe Messe, Weihnachtsoratorium and Mattheus-Passion, G.F. Händel’s Messiah, W.A. Mozart’s Requiem, Grosse Messe and Krönungsmesse, J. Haydn’s Paukenmesse, Nelsonmesse, and Die Schöpfung, A. Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat, Zelenka’s Missa Votiva, G. Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, G. Fauré’s Requiem.
Next to this repertoire, the choir regularly performs contemporary a capella music by both Belgian and foreign composers, including Vic Nees, Kurt Bikkembergs, Morten Lauridsen, John Rutter, Herbert Howells and Eric Whitacre. On the occasion the 2015 East Flanders provincial choral competition, Vivente Voce was ranked in the highest category (‘premier division’). The jury praised the choir’s balanced choral sound, the high degree of musicality and the excellent interpretation of the texts. Jeroen Keymeulen has been the choir’s conductor since 2011. He holds a Master’s degree in classical guitar and chamber music as well as orchestral conducting from the Lemmens Institute in Leuven (Belgium). He perfected his skills at the Conservatorium Maastricht (the Netherlands), studying with top Italian guitarist Carlo Marchione. He also followed a vocal education. Building on this background, he puts a lot of attention on vocal quality and choral sound.
After having taught numerous young musicians at the academy of Oudenaarde, he was appointed artistic director of the music academy in Wilrijk in 2013 and then general director of the music academy in Borgerhout in 2015. As a conductor, Jeroen moves between a wide range of musical styles. In addition to classical music from different eras, he has a keen interest in musical theatre, and has conducted, amongst others, ‘The Wiz’ and ‘Fame’.