Liesbeth Devos, Soprano

Biography

During her studies the young Belgian Soprano Liesbeth Devos made her debut at La Monnaie (Brussels) as Despina in Così fan Tutte. After this successful first appearance she was invited anew to perform Ilse in the world permière of Frühlingserwachen by Mernier and Papagena in Die Zauberflöte.

In 2006 Liesbeth sang Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas led by Richard Egarr who thereupon invited her for the Johannes-Passion with the Academy of Ancient Music in Weimar and two years after for a tour through Asia with the Nelson Messe by Haydn. She sang Barbarina in the Aix-en-Provence production (2007) of Le Nozze di Figaro staged by Vincent Boussard and in Flanders Opera (2008) where she returned for roles such as Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia, First Niece in Peter Grimes and Helena, the leading role in the world creation The Rage of Life by Kats-Chernin. With this remarkably successful performance she later on travelled to Rotterdam (Operadagen, NL), Miskolz (Festival Miskolz, HU) and Stuttgart (Staatsoper, D).

In 2010 Liesbeth Devos made her debut in the Opéra de Wallonie (B) as Xunchia in L'inimico delle Donne under the baton of Rinaldo Alessandrini. At his invitation she sang Stabat mater and Salve Regina by Pergolesi with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston (US) for which she received extraordinary press reviews. In 2011 she successfully sang the role of Melpomène in Atys by Lully under the guidance of William Christie and Les Arts Florissants in both Versailles (F) and New York (US).

Liesbeth Devos is highly in demand as a concert singer. She already sang an extensive repertoire with numerous orchestras. Her love for contemporary music leads her to regularly sing creations as well. Moreover Liesbeth excels as a lied singer and so became finalist of the Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera Voice Fellowship. Since 2004 she performed extensively throughout Europe with her pianist Lucas Blondeel. They were among the last 13 competitors at the Wigmore Hall Song Competition 2011 (London, GB), finalist at the Liedwettbewerb des Bayrischen Rundfunks (Bayreuth, D) and they won the first prize at the Kurt-Leimer Wettbewerb (Zürich, CH).

Future projects include among others Marie in Guillaume Tell and Elvira in L'Italiana in Algeri at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie, a Cd-release with Songs of August De Boeck (Phaedra - In Flanders' Fields Vol. 75 - cat. #92075) together with pianist Jozef De Beenhouwer, a tour of Belgium with Les Illuminations and Het Kamerorkest, a tour of the Netherlands with The Messiah and recitals in the USA (Ravinia Festival, Chicago), Spain (Schubertiada, Villabertran) and Belgium (Mozarthappening, deSingel, Antwerp).

Liesbeth Devos is very grateful to have been awarded many scholarships granted by Belgacom, Inspiratum, Robus Foundation, Oranjebeurs, Nany Philippart and Piet Stautkring. She was awarded a special prize, Pelemans Prijs, for her engagement in Belgian music.

Vocal teachers such as Lieve Suys, Stephanie Friede, Patricia McCaffrey, Lucienne Van Deyck and pianist Jozef De Beenhouwer will remain very important to Liesbeth.

(from liesbethdevos.com)