Photo credit: Sarah Hickson

British countertenor Andrew Watts has been named the General and Artistic Director of International Vocal Competition ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

He succeeds Ivan van Kalmthout, who has led the competition since 2018. His position begins on Sept. 1, one month before the start of the 2023 competition.

Watts, who in addition to being an international performer is also a coach and artistic director, has appeared at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Real Madrid, La Scala Milan, and Staatsoper Berlin to name a few.

“It is the first time a non-Dutchman has taken the helm in the IVC s in nearly 70 years of operation. I am very honoured to contribute to the rich history of the IVC and thus to the cultural landscape of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant and the Netherlands,” said Watts in a press release.