The penultimate concert of the year brought a pleasant surprise: a collaboration with Macedonian violinist Robert Cekov. Robert leads the Dutch national ballet orchestra and had to hurry to Amsterdam after our concert. He stood in for baritone Piet Baarssen, who suddenly and uncharacteristically was unwell. We performed a programme of mostly Dutch Christmas music, together with some favourites such as the “Ave Maria” attributed to Caccini (which was actually written in the 1970s by Vladimir Vavilov), and of course “O Holy Night.”

I have one more recital to go before the new year: Lieselotte and I are performing in Rotterdam for a private occasion.

Highlights for 2023 include singing Karl Jenkins’s “Stabat Mater” in Amsterdam, various concerts and ceremonies in France including for the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, and some exciting events further afield…

I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.