[ << tenors ]

Michel (Machiel) Gobets was born on 21 May 1905 in Amsterdam. He got his singing study at the 'Amsterdamsche Conservatorium'. There he followed also the 'opera class', founded in 1937 and under direction of the conductor Johannes den Hertog. These 'opera class' was a 2-year continuation study, following on the conservatory study and knew during this period many later well known names, such as: Jo Vincent (!), Frans Vroons, Greet Koeman and Theo Baylé. He sang for the yet young 'Nederlandsche Opera Stichting' the role of Hoffmann in Jacques Offenbach's 'Les contes d' Hoffmann' on 10 January 1940. These performance was also under the direction of Johannes den Hertog. Other performers: Gré Brouwenstijn, Greet Koeman and Frans Vroons. Later on followed another performance for the Wagnersociety on 1 February 1940, mainly with the same soloists. The ballet stood under the direction of the German dancer Yvonne Georgi, who led the ballet ,as well as the figuration and the movements of the choir.

Michel Gobets

Michel Gobets as Hoffmann in 'Les contes d'Hoffmann'.(1940)

Michel Gobets sang with great success in Antwerp under Prof. Arthur Löwenstein in Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde. He sang also in oratorio as Saul (Händel), Die Jahreszeiten (Haydn) and Paulus (Mendelssohn). He shined in opera-concerts in 'The Concertgebouw', Amsterdam and K & W in The Hague.

Michel Gobets joined for years the 'Koor der Groote Synagoge' (Choir of the Great Synagogue) and 'Het Amsterdamsche Joodsche Koor' (The Amsterdam Jewish Choir'). With 'Het Koor der Groote Synagoge' under direction of S.H.Englander the choir joined in 1929 in London a contest and received the first price. The contest was write out by the magazine 'The Jewish Chronicle'. Michel Gobets was also a member of the in 1937 by Felix de Nobel founded 'Het Nederlands Kamerkoor'. This choir had in the first time many important soloists as members. A.o. tenor Frans Vroons, contralto Annie Hermes and soprano Corry Bijster.

At the outbreak of the war and during the following German occupation, the Jew, Michel Gobets was forced to leave the choir. He went into hiding, however was arrested and deported to camp Westerbork. In that camp he still managed to gave a concert together with a choir and Jetty Cantor. On 18 January 1944 he was transported to Theresienstadt and from there, at the end of September 1944 to Theresienstadt. Finally he arrived in camp Dachau were he became ill and died on 20 April 1945.

His card

Michel Gobets with his wife Rachel

Again, Michel Gobets with Rachel

Rossini, Stabat Mater, Cujus animam, recording 9 June 1940 - brilliant performance. J.L.

• Discography: "Het Puik der zoete kelen", one hundred years of Dutch vocal art. Philips Dutch Masters 464 385-2. This is a 10cd set, composed by Hans Kerkhoff, mainly from VARA archives. More about this set at Compilation cd's.
• Chazzanut in pre-war Jewish Amsterdam,
  Performer: The Choir of the Great Synagogue of Amsterdam directed by S.H. Englander.
  Soloists M.Gobets and J.Rabbie, Cantor-in-chief I.E.Maroko
  Label: Jewish Historical Museum of Amsterdam, JHM 9701
  Year: 1997
  More information at: de Joodse voorzangkunst, the synagogical music
• Review of a contest with 'The Choir of the Great Synagogue' , London, 1928 written by Dr. Whitaker, chairman of the jury:
  
  Dr. Whitaker, president of the jury, wrote later in July 19th, 1929: " I have forgotten what I said exactly about your wonderful choir, but repeat it in general terms. This is truly a remarkable choir: for one thing, the volume of tone is astonishing considering the small number of voices. Their precision and discipline are most extraordinary. But above all, their interpretations are among the finest I have ever heard. They get to the very heart of everything the sing, they sweep one away by their enormous emotional power, they convince us by their sheer intensity. They are most certainly one of the finest choirs in the world, and it has been a joy to hear them".

(p) 2008 Dutch Divas