About
mezzo soprano - actrice - creator
Helene Bracke is an all-round Belgian Mezzo-soprano, actress and playwright.
With great interest in ‘the human voice’ (as widely as you can possibly imagine it), Helene performs traditional classical music, contemporary classical music and cross-over music. All with a whiff of drama.
She impersonated several roles in opera in Belgium, the UK an Serbia and sang productions in collaboration with the York Trust Opera (UK), Opera Vlaanderen, Festival van Vlaanderen, Zomeropera Alden Biesen, I solisiti del vento, Casco Phil Orchestra and Spectra Ensemble. She worked with conductors as Dirk Brossé, Filip Rathé, Patrick Houssart, Darren Hargan, Benjamin Haemhouts a.o.
As lead singer of ‘ The Advent of March’ – a post prog rock band– , and as a member of ‘Cro§in’X’ – a music group that mixes jazz with electronics, poetry and opera– , Helene is able to express her passion for cross-over music.
Next to performing, Helene also creates. She writes her own shows. Sometimes for children, sometimes not for children at all, but always compelling. She has a predilection for tragicomedy and parody, however, true emotions always find a way to the surface. Together with pianist Jelle Vastershaeghe she created “Once in a Weill”, a touching theater with music from Kurt Weill about the chambermaid Jenny, and “Santa’s Wife – De Reizende Poolster”, a tragicomic cabaret about the woman behind Santa Claus. Helene’s last creation “Donna Diva & de OPERAtioneletijdmachine”, an opera for children (8+), was commissioned by Opera Vlaanderen.
Helene graduated with a Master degree in Classical Music at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent. After her studies, she specialized in opera by taking the 2-year training course at the International Opera Academy, led by Guy Joosten. She took lessons with Annemie Moens, Gidon Saks, Jard Van Nes (NL), Robert Alderson (UK) and Catrin Wyn-Davis. She took masterclasses with René Jacobs, Natalie Dessay, Michael Spyres, Charlotte Margiono a.o.
With great interest in ‘the human voice’ (as widely as you can possibly imagine it), Helene performs traditional classical music, contemporary classical music and cross-over music. All with a whiff of drama.
She impersonated several roles in opera in Belgium, the UK an Serbia and sang productions in collaboration with the York Trust Opera (UK), Opera Vlaanderen, Festival van Vlaanderen, Zomeropera Alden Biesen, I solisiti del vento, Casco Phil Orchestra and Spectra Ensemble. She worked with conductors as Dirk Brossé, Filip Rathé, Patrick Houssart, Darren Hargan, Benjamin Haemhouts a.o.
As lead singer of ‘ The Advent of March’ – a post prog rock band– , and as a member of ‘Cro§in’X’ – a music group that mixes jazz with electronics, poetry and opera– , Helene is able to express her passion for cross-over music.
Next to performing, Helene also creates. She writes her own shows. Sometimes for children, sometimes not for children at all, but always compelling. She has a predilection for tragicomedy and parody, however, true emotions always find a way to the surface. Together with pianist Jelle Vastershaeghe she created “Once in a Weill”, a touching theater with music from Kurt Weill about the chambermaid Jenny, and “Santa’s Wife – De Reizende Poolster”, a tragicomic cabaret about the woman behind Santa Claus. Helene’s last creation “Donna Diva & de OPERAtioneletijdmachine”, an opera for children (8+), was commissioned by Opera Vlaanderen.
Helene graduated with a Master degree in Classical Music at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent. After her studies, she specialized in opera by taking the 2-year training course at the International Opera Academy, led by Guy Joosten. She took lessons with Annemie Moens, Gidon Saks, Jard Van Nes (NL), Robert Alderson (UK) and Catrin Wyn-Davis. She took masterclasses with René Jacobs, Natalie Dessay, Michael Spyres, Charlotte Margiono a.o.