Zang Oude Muziek

The principals guiding the teaching of students in the vocal faculty of the Early Music Department of the Royal Conservatory in Den Haag are concerned with declamation, rhetoric, bel canto, flexibility, and textural and instrumental awareness.

Students are expected to come with a good technique, an easy vocal delivery, good projection and breath control. Whilst early music voice courses have traditionally attracted singers with light voices, and have even been criticised as being the refuge of those who do not prosper in more mainstream or operatic environments.

The requirements of the contemporary performing environment, whether in opera house or concert hall or church or recording studio, demand intelligence, personality, commitment, as well as the obvious vocal qualities.

The Vocal faculty is no different in these demands. The size of the Early Music Department allows rich and varied collaboration with instrumentalists, keyboard players, as well as other singers.  Thus a comprehensive understanding and awareness of style and enthusiasm for learning and performing many different areas of the Repertory is expected.

Michael Chance