Lisette's Life
Review Comments
Bach Musica
"Lisette Wesseling is at her best when called upon to deliver pure, spot on vocal lines, as she did in Bach Musica's Monteverdi concert last year. Few sopranos in this country could dispense roulades of notes with the grace and effortlessness she epitomised on Sunday in her aria "Durch dein Gefängnis"
Monteverdi's Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
"The piercing ethereal clarity of Lisette Wesseling's voice could move a stone to tears....."
Early Life and Education
1971 - Birth
Lisette was born in the Netherlands on 19 October 1971. She was blind almost from birth, having had retinoblastoma as a baby.
1980 - Move to New Zealand
She moved with her family to Auckland, New Zealand.
Music Studies
She undertook her music studies at Auckland and Melbourne Universities, graduating with a BA and B.Mus.Hons.
London Years (1997-2004)
1997 - Guildhall School of Music and Drama
She moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she worked with teachers including Emma Kirkby, Nancy Argenta and Philip Picket, as well as establishing and performing with several early music ensembles.
1999 - York Early Music Competition
The Sweelinck Ensemble, one of the early music groups she established, was chosen as a finalist in the York Early Music Competition which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Purcell Room Performance
She gave a performance at the Purcell Room with the Sienna Ensemble.
2002 - Recording with Sienna Ensemble
She recorded a CD with the Sienna Ensemble.
BBC Radio 4 - Benjamin Britten Young Artist Programme
She featured as a soloist on BBC Radio 4 as part of the Benjamin Britten Young Artist Programme.
Marriage and Return to New Zealand
2004 - Marriage and Wellington
While she was in London, she met her future husband, Neil. They married in 2004, and a few months later she brought him back to New Zealand, where they made their home in Wellington.
2004 - Focus On Braille Music
Her love of music, of braille and of reading all came together in the publication of her book "Focus On Braille Music".
Wellington Years (2004-2016)
2006 - Arvo Pärt's Passio
Lisette performed as soprano soloist in Arvo Pärt's Passio, as part of the 2006 Wellington Arts Festival. This was conducted by Karen Grylles and featured UK-based group the Hilliard Ensemble, with whom she was happily reunited after having worked with them while in London.
Performance Career
From her base in Wellington between 2004 and her death in 2016, Lisette maintained relationships with several Auckland-based groups such as The Handel Consort and Quire, Auckland Choral Society, Musica Sacra and Bach Musica. She was a regular soloist at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. She appeared with Baroque Voices and the Kapiti Chamber choir. She was soprano soloist with the Orpheus Choir on several occasions from 2007.
Teaching Career
Lisette was keen to pass on her love of music, and in particular of singing. She taught students who were sighted and blind. Some were adult learners, others were children and young people just finding their own love of music. She was committed to transmitting the skill of reading music notation.
2013 - Music In My Mouth
She released her first CD – "Music In My Mouth", with Richard Apperley.
2016 - Final Album
She collaborated again with Richard Apperley in 2016 to produce what would be her final album which will be released in the near future.
Broadcasting and Recordings
Lisette also appeared on many other CDs over the course of her career, and on numerous radio programmes in New Zealand, the UK and the Netherlands.