Christmas Concert at the Royal Palace of Brussels
© Mégane Fontaine for Music Chapel Queen Elisabeth
Fleur Strijbos is a Belgian soprano known for her compelling interpretations of classical music and her love for Liedkunst, touching audiences with her warm timbre and expressive artistry.
Born into a musical family in Hoogstraten, Fleur was surrounded by music from an early age. Her parents run a music store and organized private lessons. However, it was at the classical music department of Heilig Graf Turnhout that she truly discovered her passion for classical singing. What began as an obligation soon turned into a lifelong love, thanks to the inspiring lessons of her teacher Katrine Druyts.
After high school, Fleur continued her journey at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, where she studied with under the guidance of soprano Anne Cambier, who remains her mentor and a major source of inspiration. She earned the highest distinction for her master's recital ad continued her studies with soprano Barbara Bonney at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg. Her studies were made possible by generous support from the Mitialto Foundation, Stichting Robus, and vzw SWUK Vlaanderen.
Fleur graduated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when building a career was particularly challenging for young musicians. Despite the uncertainty and obstacles, she found support through initiatives that offered opportunities to emerging talent in this crisis. In 2020, Liedfest Antwerp's 'Next Generation' program provided her with valuable stage experience in the opera house of Opera Ballet Flanders in Anwerp. In 2021, she was selected for 'Horizon,' a project by the Gent Festival of Flanders that not only offered young musicians a stage but also helped with promotion and professional guidance. That same year, she was recognized as a Young Talent at the Puccini Festival in Italy, an opportunity that further shaped her artistic growth.
Her artistic journey continued to evolve and gain recognition. In 2022 and 2023, Fleur was Artist in Residence at SWUK Vlaanderen, where she received full support in her artistic development. Since 2023, she has been Artist in Residence at the Music Chapel Queen Elisabeth, where she enjoys high-level coaching and participates in concerts
Fleur's enduring passion lies in ‘Liedkunst’ since she followed the Liedclass under the guidance of Lucienne Van Deyck and Jozef De Beenhouwer. In 2022, Fleur collaborated with pianist Babette Craens to form a Liedduo known as ‘Duo Fleur Strijbos & Babette Craens.’ They were selected for the ‘Udo Reinemann Masterclasses 2022-2023' and the semi-final of 'Supernova 2024' – the competition for young Belgian chamber music ensembles by Klara (radio). Since 2024, they are part of 'Vrienden van het Lied'. In addition to her liedduo, Fleur formed 'Duo Leora' in 2024 with classical guitarist Emma Wills, making their debut at the Walden Festival by Radio Klara in Brussels.
Her talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was invited to the Klara radio program 'De Twintigers,' which highlights promising young Belgian musicians. That same year, she was selected as a Young Talent by Prima La Musica and performed with harmonica player Rutger Mathys and conductor Leon Blekh, accompanied by the Prima La Musica chamber orchestra under the baton of Dirk Brossé at Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in Ghent.
Fleur has won several awards, including first prize at the 'XV° Concours Lyrique International Bell'Arte' (2024), third prize at 'Mâcon Symphonies d'Automne - concours international de chant lyrique' (2023), and second prize with highest distinction at the 'Lions Club National Music Competition for Singers' (2022).
She concluded 2024 with a remarkable highlight: a performance at the Christmas Concert at the Royal Palace in Brussels, where she had the honor of singing for the Belgian royal family as an artist of the Music Chapel Queen Elisabeth – an unforgettable moment.