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Biography

Renowned for her exceptional vocal agility and profound interpretations, award-winning Dutch soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg has captivated audiences across the globe with her passionate performances. Stoppelenburg's career as a concert singer has taken her to prestigious venues in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. As a soprano soloist, she has performed most of the standard oratorio repertoire by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn Brahms, Schubert and Poulenc and others. 

Alongside her sister Charlotte, she made history by becoming the first singers to win the national Princess Christina Competition in the Netherlands. She is also the recipient of the Chicago Oratorio Award.

 As a highly sought-after specialist in Early Music, Josefien has collaborated with esteemed Baroque Music ensembles like Apollo’s Fire, Ars Lyrica, and Harmonia Stellarum. She has graced the stages of renowned festivals and organizations, including the Bach Society of Saint Louis, the Arizona Bach festival, and the Boulder Bach Festival. 

Josefien's artistry was recognized on Chicago's classical radio show, "Live from WFMT," where her performance was selected as one of the 10 best recordings in 2016. Notably, she received acclaim for her portrayal in "Annelies," an oratorio centered around Anne Frank, composed by James Whitbourn. The composer himself commended Stoppelenburg for her outstanding interpretation, praising her unparalleled talent and deep understanding of the music. 

Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, Josefien released the album ‘Modern Muses’ in collaboration with cellist Jean Hatmaker. This project features works by female composers and compositions that embody the female perspective, earning a Bronze Medal at the 2022 Global Music Awards. In addition to her performing career, Stoppelenburg shares her expertise through vocal masterclasses at institutions like Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of Colorado. She performed for the Dutch Royal Family in her native Netherlands on multiple occasions. 

Beyond music, Josefien is a fine art painter, with her vibrant artworks adorning private collections, note cards, a children’s book, and fashion items.

She has performed nearly all of Johann Sebastian Bach's cantatas for soprano solo, with just one remaining.

For more information about Josefien Stoppelenburg and her paintings, visit www.josefienstoppelenburg.com and www.josefienstoppelenburg-art.com.