Mezzo-Soprano Elsbeth Gerritsen has Died, Aged 53

The Dutch opera singer has passed away following a battle with terminal breast cancer

Elsbeth Gerritsen was a permanent member of the Netherlands Chamber Choir and the Netherlands Bach Society — plus a member of the Quink vocal quartet. 

As a soloist, she sang with Asko|Schönberg, Doelen Ensemble, and Camerata Trajectina. Shortly before her passing, she had maintained an active performance career.

Gerritsen first studied musicology at the University of Utrecht, but later took up singing upon being inspired by Mozart’s operas. She attended the Amsterdam Conservatory, where she was mentored by singers Margreet Honig and Jard van Nes.

“[After her cancer diagnosis], a final dream [of hers] was to sing the role of Dorabella in an arrangement of Mozart's Così fan tutte,” NPO Klassiek wrote. “To make that happen, a crowdfunding campaign was launched. Together with conductor Paulien Kostense and director Marijke Beversluis, they launched the opera project Così 24. They succeeded: last month, the project premiered in De Duif in Amsterdam, with Gerritsen as one of the soloists.”

“[We have] received the news with sadness that mezzo-soprano Elsbeth Gerritsen has died much too early,” the Netherlands Bach Society posted on Facebook. “Her beautiful voice and warm personality will be greatly missed in the Dutch music world. We have worked with great pleasure with Elsbeth: as a core member of the choir and as a ripieno singer in countless productions.”

Our condolences to Ms. Gerritsen’s family, friends, and colleagues.

A video with Gerritsen singing in Elgar’s choral work They are at rest can be viewed below: