Marjolein Niels studied at the Conservatory of Amsterdam
with Maarten Koningsberger and Margreet Honig. She finished
her masters at the opera academy of Amsterdam and The
Hague, where she sang various roles such as Contessa
in Le nozze di Figaro and Pamina
in Die Zauberflöte. During 2003/2004 she
was an ensemble member of the Dutch Opera Studio. She
followed masterclasses with Dawn Upshaw, Graham Clark,
Rudolf Janssen, Roger Vignoles and Konrad Richter.
Marjolein Niels has performed the roles
of Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly
(Nationale Reisopera), First Secretary in
Nixon in China, Second Lady in
Die Zauberflöte, Dorabella
in Così fan tutte (Orkest van het
Oosten), Néris in Medea
(Nationale Reisopera), Dido in Dido
and Aeneas, Zerlina in Don
Giovanni (Concertgebouw Amsterdam under the direction
of Laurence Dale), Hännchen
in Der Vetter aus Dingsda and the roles of
Maman, Tasse Chinoise
and l’Ecureuil in l’Enfant
et les Sortilèges (ZaterdagMatinee, Concertgebouw
Amsterdam). She performed with Concerto Copenhagen,
Orkest van het Oosten, Noord Nederlands Orkest, Holland
Sinfonia (with De Nederlandse Opera in Writing
to Vermeer), Vlaams Radio Orkest, Het Gelders
Orkest and Nederlands Kamer Orkest.
Her oratorio repertoire encompasses the works of Vivaldi’s
Magnificat, Bach’s Weinachtsoratorium,
St. Matthew's Passion, St. John's Passion,
Hohe Messe, Magnificat and Mass
in A major, Duruflé’s Requiem,
Mozart’s Mass in c minor and Requiem
and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle.
As a lieder singer Marjolein Niels
gave recitals in concert halls such as the Concertgebouw
in Amsterdam, Le Grand Théatre de Tours and
Muziekcentrum Enschede.
With baritone Henk Neven she has been invited this
season to perform in the series “Vocale Royale”
in The Hague and the chamber music series in Wageningen
and Linschoten.
Last season Marjolein Niels sang the role of Wellgunde
in Antony McDonald’s successful production of
Das Rheingold with the Nationale Reisopera.
“The three Rhine daughters could grace any stage
in the world” wrote the Sunday Times about this
production.
This season Marjolein will return with the Nationale
Reisopera for the role of Siegrune
in Die Walküre.
August 2010
