What I love about music and singing is this opportunity to communicate with others expressing different emotions, bathing for a moment in a universe devoid of space and time. I personally think that the human voice has the ability to touch something deep within ourselves.
With musical expression being the dominant energy, I see myself more as an interpreter, the one who expresses the emotions coming from the words and melody, with an infinite pallet of colours and sensations inspired by nature and life. Since I come from the world of theatre, the bond between text and music, the poetry have always been a part of who I essentially am.
Clotilde van Dieren is a Belgian Mezzo-soprano celebrated for her rich, expressive voice and interesting versatility, often bringing a blend of technical skill and emotional intensity to her interpretations.
Graduated from Brussels Conservatory in Drama and Voice, she perfected herself with great masters like Michael Warren (New York), Sherman Lowe (Venezia), Udo Reinemann, Christianne Stotijn, Christophe Prégardien Wolfgang Holzmair, Julius Drake, Peter Kooij, Nadine Denize….and with renowned lied duo Mitsuko Shirai and Hartmut Höll at the Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe.
Passionate performer of lieder and chamber music, she regularly gives recitals that showcase the full range of her talent, performing with international ensembles and soloists (Brussels Chamber Orchestra, Ô-Celli, Quatuor Alfama, Méridien 4, Henry Kramer, Gwen Cresens, Philippe Graffin, Gerard Caussé, Jean-Francois Heisser, Andrew Hardy, Dalia Ouziel, Roberte Mamou, Mehdi Trabelsi…. ) at prestigious festivals and theatres in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany and beyond (Bechstein concert Hall in NY, Belgorioca Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Concertini of La Monnaie/DeMunt, Octobre Musical of Carthage in Tunis & Hammamet Opera Festival, Siauliai and Tytuvenay Festival in Lithuania, Musicorum, Les salons de la Mélodie, Ysaÿe’s Festival in Knokke, Concerts Passion and Académie Bach in Normandy, “La semaine du Violoncelle” at Arsonic …
Her career spans both opera and concert stage. She worked with renowned conductor Robertas Servenikas and Lithuanian National Opera Orchestra, performing Berlioz « Les Nuits d’été », which requires a deep emotional connection to the music’s lyrical theme of love and longing. She also sang a poetic recital “Passionnément”, where she embodies love and passion through a mixture of songs, opera arias, with rare sensitivity and emotional depth.
“C’est toujours la Première fois » written for her by philosopher and poet Jacques Sojcher, was staged by Ingrid von Wantoch Reikowski. Her warm timbre allows her to move seamlessly through various registers, from poignant drama to enchanting lightness, in company of an accordeonist.
Her recording of « La Chanson du vent » (CYPRES Label) with exceptional collaboration of pianist Katsura Mizumoto features world premiere recording of Belgian composer Adolphe Biarent song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano. It is not just a musical journey; it’s an invitation to experience the poetic beauty of the wind as it whispers through melodies and harmonies.
Deeply committed to transmission, Clotilde is also involved in educational projects, sharing her expertise and passion with younger generations and aspiring young singers, notably at the International Cultural Center in Hammamet for a masterclass and also with « a Bridge between two worlds » from La Monnaie/DeMunt, giving many recitals to bring music and opera in prisons, community centers, schools.
In 2022, with cellist Edmond Carlier, they have initiated a new series of chamber music concerts “St-Barbara-in-the-Fields” , of which she is artistic director.
