Martijn Padding's new opera Laika launched at the Holland Festival

By Thea Derks, 04 June 2014

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Reviewed at International Theater: Grote Zaal, Amsterdam on 3 June 2014

Padding, Laika

Dutch National Opera

Etienne Siebens, Conductor

Aernout Mik, Director

Marieke Steenhoek, Grimelda

Het Muziek (formerly Asko|Schönberg)

Claron McFadden, Trix Dominatrix

Marcel Beekman, Ricardo

Vocaallab

Mattijs van de Woerd, Leporello

Thomas Oliemans, Robbert

Dennis Wilgenhof, Joeri Gagarin

Helena Rasker, Mother

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Thea Derks

Thea Derks studied English at Groningen University and musicology at Amsterdam University. She graduated with honours in 1996. She was singer/songwriter of the new-wave group Tess. She lectured on modern music in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw from 2003–12, gives pre-concert talks throughout the Netherlands, and is a reporter and programmer for Radio 4, the Dutch classical music station. She recently published a biography on Reinbert de Leeuw that has been well received. www.theaderks.wordpress.com