Biography

Bernadette Verhagen studied viola in Tilburg and at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. Important teachers were Ervin Schiffer and Misha Geller. After her finishing her education, Bernadette was a member of the Residentie Orkest's viola group for 11 years. She has also performed for many years as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

Always new
After her active orchestra life, Bernadette chose her own path in 1996. She had always had a passion for both contemporary and early music and still combines the two with great joy today. Within the context of old music she specialized in the authentic instruments and concentrated on playing with respect for historical context.

"Actually, I always play new music," says Bernadette. "New because the work is recent or new because we make the old sound like new. When we play old music, we blow off layers of dust consisting of modern conventions, until the piece sounds like what the composer intended. Back to its origin."
 

Ensembles and orchestras

Today Bernadette Verhagen is a member of several ensembles. Here too, she covers the wide musical range from the 17th to the 21st century. In the classical orchestra Anima Eterna Brugge Bernadette leads the viola group. You can also hear her in orchestras such as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Holland Baroque Society, the 18th Century Orchestra, les Musiciens du Prince and the Dutch Bach Society on a regular basis.

With the Van Swieten Society, she plays all the classical and early romantic chamber music on period instruments. From duo to septet, from Amsterdam to Kiev. When bernadette plays contemporary music, it is often with the ASKO|Schönberg. With conductors Reinbert de Leeuw and Oliver Knussen, she performs from Amsterdam to Jakarta.

Masterclasses

Bernadette is primarily a violist. But she also expresses her love of music in other ways. For instance, she organized the Orchestra of the 19th Century when she worked as a coordinator for the Dutch Orchestra and Ensemble Academy (NJO). She coached students of modern music in their quest for the authentic performance practice. She still teaches this type of masterclass. At the Academy for Ancient Music in Brunico, Italy, and AEB Masterclass Series, for instance.

Musical PR

Finally, ensembles and orchestras can come to Bernadette Verhagen when they are ready for some positive press coverage. Bernadette has made some valuable contacts over the years. With great pleasure, she reaches out to them to put musical gems in the spotlight.