destination: Geneva

Meet 'captain' Rik Deryckere

Sunday afternoon, 1 May, a day full of job satisfaction for producer Rik Deryckere. With clipboard, pen and a big smile, this captain of the Vlaams Radiokoor welcomes his colleagues in the bustling departure hall of the Brussels National Airport. Slowly but surely, the choir members are arriving at the meeting point. "We are well ahead of time, because when you travel with a group of 30 people, it's wise to double-check everything," he reveals as he taps his travel folder with a pen.

Hugs, pats on the back, some vocal warming up. The ensemble is in the right mood! It almost looks like a flash mob. World star and Flemish nightingale soprano Hendrickje Van Kerckhove is also present. Producer Rik ticks off the names on his checklist and asks if everyone has the right travel documents and hasn't forgotten anything. The group is complete and artistic director Alain De Ley gives his go! Everyone is excited, because after two turbulent years the Vlaams Radiokoor can finally go on tour abroad again.

Guess what's in the suitcase

At the check-in desk, the friendly Brussels Airlines staff checks all the documents and puts the luggage on the belt. "What's in a suitcase like that?", a fellow passenger asks curiously. "Apart from the casual smart outfit for the rehearsal day, everyone has also packed their concert clothes", replies a proud bass singer with his low voice. "The main colour is black: for the gentlemen that means a shirt, a tie and trousers and we, the ladies, go for long, loose trousers, dress or skirt," casually adds a mezzo soprano.

The atmosphere in the group is exuberant. No one has to worry, as always captain Rik has everything well under control. He enjoys the trust of cast and crew. "There are no individual tickets and the pre-seating has already been done by the travel agency. We sit together, of course. The rest of the information will follow on the spot," Rik shouts through the walkway towards the gate. If you pay attention, you can spot the Vlaams Radiokoor by a large white cover popping out of their hand luggage: the original score for the concert!

l’Orchestre de chambre de Genève welcomes the Vlaams Radiokoor

The day after torrow, Wednesday 3 May 2022, the Vlaams Radiokoor, together with soprano Hendrickje Van Kerckhove, baritone Jean-Christophe Lanièce, tenor Alvaro Zambrano and l'Orchestre de chambre de Genève, conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, will perform C.P.E. Bach's Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu in Geneva's remarkable St Peter's Cathedral.

Unfortunately no streaming this time, however discover Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu now on Spotify or get your own copy on Passacaille Records.