Math Dirks (Baritone)

Born: The Netherlands

The Dutch baritone, Math Dirks, studied solo singing and opera at the conservatories of Maastricht and Amsterdam with Hein Meens, followed by lessons with John Bröcheler and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, among others.

Since 1983 Math Dirks has been much sought-after oratorio singer. His repertoire ranges from Baroque to contemporary music. In 1986, he gained at International Vocal Competition 2^nd prize as well as the prize of the friends of the song. Since 1986 he has performed solo parts at the Nederlandse Opera Stichting, Opera Forum and Opera Zuid. He made radio and TV recordings and participated in several CD recordings.

Math Dirks has worked with conductors as Ed Spanjaard, Edo de Waart, Jean Fournet, Jos Vermunt, Jan Pasveer and Barend Schuurman, and has co-operated with the pianist Thom Bollen, Marien van Nieukerken and Rudolf Jansen. Since 1993 he has appeared with the conductor/pianist Wim van Herk in programmes varying from classical music to Brel. As choral conductor he gained high estimation with his ensembles on several competitions. He has co-operated with Opera Zuid as choral conductor and later also as a producer.

Sources:
Various Dutch Websites (see below), English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2005)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2006)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Pieter Jan Leusink

Bass

BWV 244 [4^th, DVD, sung in Dutch]

Jos Vermunt

Bass

[V-1] (2005): BWV 244 [sung in Dutch]

Links to other Sites

Uitvoerenden Matthäus Passion 1998, Philharmonisch Koor Toonkunst [Dutch]
KKunst.com [Dutch]
Math Dirks - Wim van Herk [Dutch]
.: Universal Music [Dutch]