About Us - Händel

THE CHOIR

The Dutch Händel Society (in Dutch: Nederlandse Händelvereniging) was founded in 1934 under the name COV Bel Canto and has built up a rich musical history since then. Part of this heritage is the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, first performed by the Dutch Händel Society in 1946 at the Concertgebouw. Since then, we have performed this glorious masterpiece more than 150 times!

Until 2016, the Dutch Händel Society had only three principal conductors: founder Jack P. Loorij (1942–1987), Thijs Kramer (1989–2011), and Andrew Wise (2011–2016). In addition, the choir regularly collaborates with guest conductors including Ed Spanjaard, Klaas Stok, Boudewijn Jansen, Jules van Hessen, Bernard Touwen, Béni Csillag, and Louis Buskens. The current conductors, Paul Valk and Rick Muselaars, previously worked with the choir as guest conductors.

The Dutch Händel Society is a large, advanced regional choir that rehearses weekly at the Wilhelminakerk in Bussum. Its 80 members are experienced amateur singers with strong vocal abilities, maintaining their high standards through singing lessons, individual study, and regular (re-)auditions. The choir also receives ongoing vocal and technical support from voice coaches and, on occasion, from renowned singers such as Maarten Koningsberger. Depending on the programme, we invite project singers—particularly tenors and basses—to join us for specific concerts.

Project singers

Our Mission

Performing Messiah, other works by George Frideric Handel, and other choral music by a variety of composers, both contemporary and modern

Promoting classical music by participating in performances and events

Contributing to the community with benefit concerts, anniversaries, and memorial services

Making concerts accessible to a wider audience, including young people, refugees, and low-income groups

Offering educational programmes to increase musical knowledge and appreciation, such as masterclasses

Georg Friedrich Händel

George Frideric Handel was a German Baroque composer who spent much of his career in England. He was born in Halle on 23 February 1685 and died in London on 14 April 1759. He is best known for his oratorios, including the famous Messiah, and operas such as Semele, Giulio Cesare, and Rinaldo. Handel’s music is renowned for its powerful choral works, masterful orchestration, and emotional expression, and it has a lasting influence on classical music to this day.

Zing mee

Een vereniging als de onze kan niet zonder een beetje hulp van buiten. Daartoe hebben wij de Vrienden van de Händelvereniging in het leven geroepen. U kunt Vriend worden van de Händelvereniging: u steunt ons dan financieel, en u profiteert van van allerlei specifieke voordelen. De jaarlijkse bijdrage om Vriend van de NHV te worden is (tenminste) €50 en biedt een aantal voordelen.

Steun ons

Een vereniging als de onze kan niet zonder een beetje hulp van buiten. Daartoe hebben wij de Vrienden van de Händelvereniging in het leven geroepen. U kunt Vriend worden van de Händelvereniging: u steunt ons dan financieel en u profiteert van allerlei specifieke voordelen. De jaarlijkse bijdrage om Vriend van de Händelvereniging te worden is (tenminste) €50 en beidt een aantal voordelen.