Donij van Doorn www.donijvandoorn.com Soprano, page 2.
July 23rd 2020. Donij van Doorn and Fabian Egli present: “The Lady and the Tramp” a new corona proof performance in the “New Normal Theater” in the Dutch city of Leusden. On Fri. August 21, 2020 from 7 - 8 pm or 9 -10 pm and on Sat. August 22, 2020, from 7 - 8 pm or 9 - 10 pm.
Donij on Facebook: The word is out! Fabian Egli and I created a performance together: The Lady and the Tramp! We can be seen on 21 and 22 August in Het Nieuwe Normaal (The New Normal) theater, a brand- new initiative specially designed and built to enjoy theater safely, yet in an attractive setting. More details will follow soon! You can mail us: info@ikbenaanwezig.nl or you can find us on Facebook Messenger.
Click HERE to go back to Donij van Doorn, page 1.
Two big names from the world of opera and musical will soon be performing in the Nieuwe Normal Theater on the grounds of the Leusderend estate on the Dodeweg. These are Donij van Doorn (soprano from André Rieu's company) and opera and musical singer Fabian Egli. From the Leusder Newspaper, August 6, 2020, by Daan Bleuel Both have been seen in Leusden before. The pair shone in the open-air operas of the "Opera Leusden" foundation, which has organized ambitious productions in recent years on the grounds around Stoutenburg Castle and the Leusderend estate, the Netherlands. RIGHT DECISION This year too, there were plans to get an open air opera off the ground again. "In the spring, in view of the corona developments, we decided not to perform an opera in 2020", said Ton Weevers chairman of the Opera Leusden foundation to his sponsors. "In retrospect this was the only right decision, but we think it is a shame that we cannot continue the tradition," he added. The performance by Donij van Doorn and Fabian Egli, which has been programmed four times in total for 21 and 22 August, has a Leusden historical account. Weevers: "May 15 last year we organized an opera dinner for the sponsors. Donij van Doorn and Fabian Egli performed here, accompanied by Jeroen Sarphati on the grand piano." TRY-OUT The program which is now being performed in the New Normal Theater (The Lady and the tramp) is comparable to the try-out during the opera dinner. It has now only grown into a full theatrical performance. The New Normal Theater is an initiative of former Leusden citizen Eddy Houtveen. He also supplied the tents for the open-air operas. He developed a concept in which pagoda tents were arranged and linked together in such a way that a “corona-proof” theater was created with (maximum) 94 seats in separate boxes and separate entrances for the attendees. PROFESSIONAL "It looks very professional as a theater pavilion," says Weevers admiringly. "For clarity; it is not a production of the Opera Leusden Organization and responsibility for the performance lays entirely in the hands of the New Normal Theater. But we wholeheartedly recommend the performance!," Weevers adds. "Especially since two main characters of the past operas perform here." The performance is about a great "lady" who performs in large theaters. The "tramp" is her biggest fan and sits madly in love with her on the front row when she performs. A repertoire of arias from well-known operas and operettas and songs by well-known “crooners” such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Charles Aznavour will then be presented, accompanied by Jeroen Sarphati on the grand piano. TICKETS Tickets for the performances on 21 and 22 August (at 7 pm and at 9 pm) can be ordered via the site of the theater www.hetnieuwenormaaltheater.nl .
Donij on Facebook: August 2020. “In this video (only in Dutch) I take you on a little trip behind the scenes of “Het Nieuwe Normaal theater,” where I will be performing with Fabian Egli (baritone) and Jeroen Sarphati (pianist). This unique theater is designed especially for the current Covid-19 situation for approx. 90 people. A safe evening out in a cozy setting. Join our show 'The Lady and the Tramp' next Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22! “ Video editor: B. van Doorn.
"When the Lady (soprano Donij van Doorn, renowned soloist with André Rieu) makes her appearance at the local theater, the Tramp (Fabian Egli, opera and musical singer) sits in the front row, smitten by admiration. Great arias from opera and operetta meet crooner's songs by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Charles Aznavour. Witness the encounter of those seeming opposites. Pianist Jeroen Sarphati will not only accompany the story but has a vital part in it as well. Will they find each other in the end?
On August 21st 2020, Ruud and Ineke had a completely new experience: a concert in a special corona proof theater: a couple of tents with seats separated by plastic sheets and the next row at 1,5 m. distance. The performance took place in the center part, which was surrounded by four “halls”. We could enjoy a lovely concert of the Lady (Donij) and the Tramp (Fabian) and the pianist (Jeroen) also played a funny role. The audience consisted of friends, family, a group of opera lovers and familiar faces from the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
After the concert there were opportunities to meet Donij and Fabian in the open air, have drinks and snacks. The opera people were eager to chat with each other about the performance, and with so many enthusiastic people together, they often forgot the distance… Of course! We long for the “old Normal”…..
Video by Bram Taverniers.
November 27, 2020. We were happy to read more about Donij in the Limburg paper. Author: Rob Cobben. Click HERE to read the full article in the Harmony Parlor Blogspot, translated by John.
People can’t live without music. By Jos Cortenraad, Nummer 1 Magazine, the Netherlands. Photography Marcel van Hoorn. Translation by John de Jong. Donij van Doorn is one of the two soprano soloists in André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra. For five years she traveled with the company led by the Maastricht violinist across all continents, until the COVID-19 virus abruptly ended the tour in March 2020. "Believe me, that first concert next year will be second to none, an explosion of emotions, fun and hope." Does she miss the performances? Dumb questions shouldn't be asked, but this one comes very close. Of course Donij van Doorn craves the stage, the roaring applause of the audience, her colleagues, the positive stress, the singing. "But," she says this grey morning in December, "it's not about me, it's about André or the Johann Strauss Orchestra, it's about all those people we can't perform for. People can't live without music, without being together, without culture. Wherever we go, people become emotional, sing, dance, move, cry. They grab each other and blend into that world of beautiful music. The fact that that connection is not possible now affects me the most. And that will be no different for other music companies and theater people. This pandemic affects the creative sector and its audience in the heart. That's why my own desire to be on the stage dwarfs me." Rest That particular day in March has been etched in Donij van Doorn's memory. "We'd just had our first performance in Florida when Donald Trump announced the lockdown. A plane was ordered, the gear loaded and forty-eight hours later we were all at home. Dramatic, of course, but we didn't realize then what a year this was going to be. I myself was just recovering from a back injury and my friend Fabian and I wanted to decorate our new house in Nieuwegein. A few weeks of rest were not inconvenient in that aspect. But that quickly turns into unrest. You start worrying anyway. About your health, your income. Fabian is self- employed as a singer, my salary, however luckily continues. But what does the future bring? There have been sleepless nights. At the same time, we've done great things. The two of us took a tour of at least thirty nursing homes in the area. Sung in parking lots and in front of balconies. No, no stage in Tokyo, London, Mexico, Miami, Santiago, Maastricht or anywhere else. But in a different way, so beautiful and moving. You see old and sick people having fun for a while, singing along behind their windows. More than ever, you realize how music and singing affect people." Optimistic This is a little different from the frenzied crowds who normally book a ticket for André Rieu and his orchestra's concerts. "Yes, and I hope we'll be able to do it again next year. Of course, I'm an opera singer by profession. I love performing. The entourage, the positive stress, the adrenaline at a solo. And yes, I'm optimistic. There are vaccines available, I expect that in the summer we will be at the Vrijthof in Maastricht for a wonderful series. And then those international tours come again. Really, André Rieu will do anything to get going with them. He's healthy, just as ambitious as when I first met him. And yes, this is going to cost him a lot of money. But he doesn't worry about quitting. Even if he has to sell his Stradivarius. And you know why? Because he's especially concerned about us, his team. I don't know anyone who's so caring, so the honor is to put off to others." Maastricht Donij van Doorn (1985) grew up in Twente, in a family with two younger brothers. At a promising age she was an accomplished pianist, she always sang and obtained her first serious opera role at the age of fourteen. At seventeen she made the final switch to singing. "Crazy," she says looking back, "all of a sudden I lost the pleasure of playing the piano. Singing went by itself. After my high school I auditioned at the conservatory in Maastricht and I was immediately allowed to join in my studies with the famous Mya Besselink. Six years long, bachelor and master, a wonderful study time in Maastricht." During her study she already came in contact with André Rieu. She substitutes for an ill member of the regular sopranos, makes some trips abroad and even in 2009 is offered to stay with the company. "I hesitated. Playing in an orchestra like that is a dream. I also really like this genre with its cheerfulness, the burgundy, the exuberant. But I wasn't ready. At Opera Studio Nederland I was able to mature during my two years in many different roles. At that time I was taking lessons with Roberta Alexander, one of my role models." Joy In 2015 there is another call from Maastricht and since then Donij van Doorn and Anna Majchrzak have been the regular sopranos in the Johann Strauss Orchestra. "I'm enjoying myself to the fullest. Always and everywhere we bring people into ecstasy, we bring joy. It's great to travel the world and sing with such a close-knit team. We're really attached to each other, and we have too. You're constantly with one another. And yes, it's also show and hard work. We rehearse and practice constantly, during the tours it starts in the early morning and travel to late in the evening, study, sound checks, perform. And make sure you stay fit. Getting a cold is something you really don't want." Striking a chord Donij van Doorn is an emotional woman. Her eyes fill up when she talks about her father who died ten years ago. "He and my mom have always encouraged me to continue in music," she says. '" job with André Rieu; He would have been so proud. Of course I am. And you know what really makes me proud? If André himself becomes emotional during an aria. Then I know I really touched that sensitive chord. Make no mistake, André and his wife Marjorie are also very emotional people." Does Donij van Doorn still have plans for the future? "Of course. Without dreams, someone cannot live. I would like to reprise the role of Violetta in Verdi's opera La Traviata. Yes, I know, with Violetta, it does not end well. But it's such a beautiful and sensitive story. For now, however, the goal is to get back on stage with the orchestra. I can't wait"'
February 5th 2023 Recitals by Donij van Doorn. On February 5th 2023 Donij van Doorn performed in the “Park Church” in Amsterdam. The beautiful hall looked like an organ museum with seven organs. The church is used for musical events. Today: Recitals by a soprano and an organ player: Donij van Doorn, soprano and Arno van Wijk, organ. Music composed by two Dutch composers: Alphons Diepenbrock (1862-1921) and Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981) with poetry added as lyrics. Ruud and Ineke attended the concert and they had never heard of these Dutch composers other than streetnames in their hometown. Yes, it was different, but a nice experience!
Donij informed us that her heart goes out to giving recitals and that it was hard to combine her agenda with André’s travelling schedule. So in the foreseeable future she will not be joining André and the Johann Strauss Orchestra any time soon, but will be doing other things she likes.
March 20, 2023 New double CD 'Mystique' coming out soon! Beautiful and mystical songs written for soprano (Donij van Doorn) and organ (Arno van Wijk) by Dutch composers Alphons Diepenbrock and Hendrik Andriessen. Pre order yours now. The first 50 ordered via Donij’s website (www.donijvandoorn.com) will be personally signed by Donij.
Previous Items Previous Items
JSO members JSO members