Ria Bollen (Contralto) - Short Biography

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Ria Bollen (Contralto)
Born: February 11, 1942 - St. Truiden, Provinz Limburg, Belgium
The Belgian contralto, Ria Bollen, was trained at the Conservatory of Antwerp. Her distinction in her studies led to frequent appearances in concerts and broadcasts throughout Europe. She won many awards at international competitions. Ria Bollen made her debut in 1965 as soloist in the oratorio Godelieve by E. Tinel. She unfolded then an exclusive concert career, whereby she could be characterised both as oratorio and Lieder singer. Appearance tours led the artist to Canada, Austria and England, to West Germany and Switzerland. In addition she appeared again and again in the music centres of Belgium and Holland. Her first appearance in Israel was in 1979 in a concert of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor (BWV 232) with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Helmuth Rilling. Ria Bollen’s wide repertoire includes the world premiere of Frank Martin’s Requiem, led by the composer, J.S. Bach’s Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) with Ferdinand Leitner and Burgos, appearances at Milan and the Flanders Festival, etc. Her range encompasses works from Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and Antonio Vivaldi to Martin and Igor Stravinsky. Ria Bollen reputation was also built upon the numerous recordings she made, including: on Intercord Masses of J. Haydn, on CBS sacred music of J.S. Bach, on Claves Sacred vocal music of Galuppi; additional recordings on HMV (Lieder, Alessandro by Georg Frideric Handel) and on Disco Jecklin (Requiem by Frank Martin, recorded in the premiere of the work in 1973), Calig (Harmony Mass by J. Haydn), Tudor (I quattro stagioni by Scarlatti).

Source: Programme notes to a concert of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted Helmuth Rilling (April 1979); Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (July 2001) Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2001)
Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works
Conductor	As	Works
Helmuth Rilling	Alto	BWV 138, BWV 244
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Short Biographies: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Explanation | Acronyms

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Last update: ýMay 31, 2009 ý21:27:17