Ben Heijnen

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

He started his singing training at the age of 8 at the music school in Roermond. During his studies, he performed in musicals and operettas with many local societies. He was also a member of the World Youth Choir, with whom he toured for several years and where his soloistic qualities were soon recognised.

During his studies, Ben worked as an assistant production manager at Opera Zuid, where he became acquainted with the ins and outs of the opera world.

After his studies, he joined the opera choir of the Krefeld-Mönchengladbach (D) theatre, where he also performed various small roles. He expressed his love for the art of song in recitals at home and abroad.

Ben works as a freelancer on oratorio and opera productions, as a choir member and soloist all over the world. As a soloist, he is coached by Mya Besselink.

He has sung 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 the Requiem by Mozart. He also performed the role of Evangelist in the Markus Passion by R. Keiser.

Because of his affinity with the German language, Ben can often be heard in operettas; a genre and time spirit in which he feels very much at home.

Ben is currently producing a solo CD.

He is also working on Plan-B! (a glimpse into the life and work of a singer), a theatre programme intended to be performed in people's homes on intimate 'special' occasions. Various styles of classical music are represented in it. 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 areas of interest are the anatomical aspects of the body in singing and achieving better performance practice through interpretation.

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

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

Ben is the conductor of the Mixed Choir in Beesel. He is also the Vocal Coach of the Royal Roermonds Male Voice Choir, the choir where he started his musical career. Ben Heijnen is also a regular member of André Rieu's male ensemble.