Violone & early bass — early music performer & teacher
A musician through and through, Benoît Vanden Bemden is a much sought-after double bass and violone player, equally active in chamber and orchestral music. The 17th and 18th centuries are his favourite hunting grounds.
A founding member and artistic coordinator of the Brussels-based baroque orchestra Les Muffatti, he is also a member of Ensemble Masques. He collaborates regularly with Ricercar Consort, Vox Luminis, Le Caravansérail, Capriccio Stravagante, Inalto, Castello Consort, Bach Collegium Japan, Stradivaria, Il Gardellino, La Rêveuse, Les Voix Humaines, Scherzi Musicali, A Nocte Temporis, among others.
After completing studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels under Christian Vanderborght, Benoît quickly turned to Early Music and historically informed performance practice. In 2002 he earned a Diplôme Supérieur in chamber music, with distinction, from the Conservatoire Royal de Mons, in the class of Guy Van Waas. He completed his Master of Music degree in violone the following year under Maggie Urquhart at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.
He is also a teacher of historical double bass and violone at the Académie de Musique de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Brussels) since 2003 and during various masterclasses.
Starting September 2026, he has the great honour of joining the Early Music Department at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, succeeding Maggie Urquhart as teacher of violone.
A true foodie, Benoît takes full advantage of his time on tour to explore the local cuisine.