In Memory of mezzo soprano Elsbeth Gerritsen

Left to right: Michel Poels, Daan Verlaan, Elsbeth Gerritsen, Esther Putter and Sandro Russo receiving enthusiastic applause for their integral performance of Rachmaninoff’s Song Cycle Opus 26 at the 2006 International Rachmaninoff Conference in Amsterdam

Dutch mezzo-soprano Elsbeth Gerritsen passed away on December 21, 2024, at the age of 53. She studied with Margreet Honig and Jard van Nes, among others. In addition to her solo roles, she was also a valued member of the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

The Rachmaninoff Network is especially grateful to Elsbeth Gerritsen for her role in the very first complete performance of Rachmaninoff's song cycle, Opus 26, in the Netherlands at the 2006 International Rachmaninoff Conference in Amsterdam.

Left to right: Esther Putter, Elsbeth Gerritsen, Daan Verlaan, Michel Poels and Russian language coach Els de Roon-Hertoge preparing their performance in 2006

Together with pianist Sandro Russo, soprano Esther Putter, tenor Daan Verlaan, and baritone Michel Poels, all the songs were performed in their original keys. That evening, the strength of the cycle's structure and its coherence were revealed for the first time. Incidentally, Elsbeth Gerritsen already participated as a singer in the Vocal Ensemble C Sharp Minor in 1993 during the Dutch premiere of Rachmaninoff's unknown choral work on Rachmaninoff Memorial Day at Leiden.

The Rachmaninoff commemorates her with this video, which includes a fragment from the live recording made in 2006 during the performance of Rachmaninoff's song cycle, Opus 26.

In Memory of mezzo soprano Elsbeth Gerritsen

Video production and editing: Elger Niels

Sound recording production: Hans Godijn

Balance Engineer: Fritz de With

© Rachmaninoff Network 2006/2025