Ben Heijnen

Dutch tenor Ben Heijnen (*1983) enjoyed his all-round study of classical solo singing at the Maastricht Conservatory under the direction of principal study teacher Frans Kokkelmans.

He began his vocal training at age 8 at the Roermond School of Music. During his studies he performed with many local societies in musicals and operettas. He was also part of the World Youth Choir, with which he toured for several years and where his soloistic qualities were also soon recognized.

During his studies, Ben worked as an assistant production manager at Opera Zuid, which introduced him to the ins and outs of the opera world.

After his studies he was associated with the opera choir of theater Krefeld-Mönchengladbach (D); there he also performed several small roles. He expressed his love for the art of song in recitals at home and abroad.

Ben contributes as a freelancer to oratorio and opera productions, as a choir member and soloist all over the world. Solistically, he is coached by Mya Besselink.

He sang opera roles such as Tamino(Die Zauberflöte) and Ferrando(Cosi fan tutte), Nemorino(l'Elisir d'amore, Donizetti) and Hans(Verkaufte Braut, Smetana). Ben sang the solo parts in oratorios such as Die Jahreszeiten and Die Schöpfung ( J. Haydn), The armed man (K. Jenkins), Petite Messe Solenelle (Rossini) and Mozart's Requiem . He also performed the role of Evangelist in R. Keiser's Markus Passion.

Because of his affinity for the German language, Ben can often be heard in operettas; a genre and zeitgeist in which he feels well at home.

Currently, Ben is producing a solo CD.

He is also working on Plan-B! (peek into the life and work of a singer), a theater program intended to be performed in people's homes during intimate "special" occasions. In it, various styles of classical music are represented. These are surrounded by a history lesson, facts and anecdotes from the world of music.

Ben also gives voice training to choirs and individual (semi-professional) singers. His main focuses here are the anatomical aspects of the body in singing and arriving at better performance practice through interpretation.

His contributions to the Ommetje Opera during the Limburg Festival are also received with jubilation: a walk through a village center in central Limburg in which opera music is performed at unique locations and in a playful manner, framed by anecdotes and surprises for the audience.

With his sister (flutist Nicole Heijnen) and pianist Hilde Ubben, he forms the Trio di Bianco Natale, performing chamber music.

Ben is conductor of the Mixed Choir in Beesel. He is also Vocal Coach of the Koninklijk Roermonds Mannenkoor; the choir where he started his musical career. Ben Heijnen can also be seen regularly with André Rieu's men's ensemble.