Claron McFadden turned 60 this year. Something we would have loved to celebrate with a Big Birthday Bash in De Doelen in May 2021. However, the coronavirus stopped us. Without an audience, but together with friends, Claron still managed to have a celebration and we made this film about it in collaboration with De Doelen.

The American soprano Claron McFadden and Rotterdam have a special connection. Claron was a very welcome guest at the festival for many years. She performed solo and with Sven Ratzke and appeared in the many (co)productions of Muziektheater Transparant and Operadagen Rotterdam. Her repertoire is rich, ranging from classical opera to jazz improvisations, while her love for music encompasses David Bowie’s hits as well as Monteverdi’s Madrigals. Thanks to McFadden’s versatility she is the perfect ambassador for O. with opera as a springboard for endless cross-overs.

Artistic director Guy Coolen about his relationship with Claron McFadden:
“I clicked with Claron from the moment we met. I knew her as an excellent performer for years but a decade ago, at her request, we started to work on projects that she herself created. She turned out to be a master at this. Apart from her extraordinary qualities as a vocalist and maker, she is one of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She has been right at the top for years but stands ready to help everybody; most of all young makers.”