Mezzo-soprano Fee Suzanne de Ruiter is one of the rising stars of the Dutch vocalist legion. The Dutch Classical Talent jury praised her warm, free vocal sound and her great originality. The daughter of musician and musicologist Frans de Ruiter, who passed away in 2025, studied in Munich in recent years, where she made a name for herself in various opera roles. Accompanied by pianist Florian Verweij, she sings works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Hildegard von Bingen, and Luciano Berio, among others, under the title Melancholia.

“With her beautiful, warm, and free voice and great originality, Fee completely captivates her audience. She possesses a refined stage presence and stunning mastery of her vibrato and intonation,” stated the jury.

music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Hildegard von Bingen, Lili Boulanger, Luciano Berio, and others.

Dutch Classical Talent

Dutch Classical Talent (formerly Vriendenkrans Concours and Het Debuut) is a development program for young top Dutch musicians. Among the laureates are renowned names such as Tania Kross, Lavinia Meijer, the Van Baerle Trio, and the Berlage Saxophone Quartet. Talent alone is not enough to reach the final; participants must bring distinctive and stimulating programs, vision, and a bit of guts. The presentation of the DCT Award will take place during the festive final on Sunday, June 6, 2027, at TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht).