The Dutch lutenist Arjen Verhage studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory. Halfway through his guitar studies with Lydia Kennedy, he decided to focus on early music. From that moment on he continued his studies as a lutenist with Fred Jacobs. During his bachelor studies, attention was focused on the Renaissance lute and the theorbo as an accompaniment instrument. During his further studies he specialized in the French Baroque lute. In 2011, Arjen studied under the Erasmus exchange program at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Hopkinson Smith. He took lessons in continuo playing with Thomas Boysen and Thérèse de Goede, among others. In 2012 he obtained his diploma “Master of Music”.
Arjen is a much sought-after continuo and ensemble player. He played under conductors such as Jos van Veldhoven, Peter Dijkstra, and Manoi Kamps, and with ensembles such as the Nederlands Kamerkoor, the Nederlandse Bachvereniging and Holland Baroque.
Accompanying singers is one of Arjen’s specialties, both in the lute song and continuo accompaniment on the theorbo. He accompanied many singers including Claron McFadden, Nico van der Meel and Johannette Zomer. Arjen has a special interest in Dutch seventeenth-century music and is member of the renowned ensemble Camerata Trajectina.
