Lassenne Vocale
Chamber Choir in Brussels
Lassenne Vocale seeks to bring the rich tradition of choral music to diverse audiences.
Weaving Tradition and Modernity in Choral Artistry
ABOUT lassenne vocale
WHO WE ARE
Lassenne Vocale is a committed international chamber choir based in Brussels, bringing together passionate singers from over 20 nationalities. More than just a choir, it offers a warm, family-like community where musical excellence meets human connection.
Founded by Ivan Yohan in 2016 and born from the collaboration of talented instrumentalists from the Brussels Royal Conservatories, Lassenne Vocal reflects the rich and diverse cultural fabric of Brussels. The ensemble is named after the underground river flowing beneath the city — symbolizes the harmonious interplay between tradition and innovation that defines Brussels’ identity, both musically and culturally, and it is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
A VOCAL ENSEMBLE ROOTED IN EXCELLENCE
Lassenne Vocale remains dedicated to exploring a wide range of choral works, from the intricate polyphony of the Renaissance to contemporary compositions. The ensemble is dedicated to musical precision, artistic expression, and meaningful interpretation.
Through collaborations both in Belgium and internationally, the choir actively contributes to the vibrant choral scene and brings high-quality performances to diverse audiences.
conductor
Ivan yohan
Ivan Yohan pursued classical singing and choral conducting at Utrecht Conservatory, learning from esteemed mentors such as Henny Diemer and Rob Vermeulen. Ivan’s training included a student exchange in Lithuania with Vytautas Miškinis and Algirdas Janutas, further honing his skills in vocal performance and conducting. In Indonesia, he directed the Parahyangan Catholic University Choir (PCUC), achieving notable accolades such as first prize at the 51st International Choir Competition in Spittal an der Drau, Austria. He has received prestigious conducting awards, including the “Special Award for Excellent Conducting Performance” in Debrecen, Hungary, and the “Best Conductor Award” in Jurmala, Latvia. He collaborates with Le Concert Spirituel under Hervé Niquet, performs with the Ghent Singers, and has led the Moroccan Philharmonic Choir. As a composer, his works have been performed globally, with notable publications and the first prize for “Après un Rêve” at Florilège Vocal de Tours 2011.
UPCOMING EVENTS
magnum opus
Magnum Opus brings together monumental works of choral music that reflect both artistic mastery and profound transformation. In music, a magnum opus refers to a composer’s greatest or most significant creation—the work in which vision, craftsmanship, and expression reach their highest point. This idea resonates throughout the program, which spans centuries of choral writing, from the radiant Renaissance polyphony of Thomas Weelkes to the timeless spiritual intensity of composers such as Henry Purcell and Anton Bruckner.
At the heart of the evening lies a new choral cycle by Diederik Van Der Laag, presented in its Belgian premiere. Inspired by the ancient tradition of alchemy, the work traces the symbolic stages leading to the magnum opus—the ultimate transformation of matter and spirit. Through darkness, purification, awakening, and culmination, the music mirrors an inner journey toward illumination.
The theme of transformation echoes across the rest of the program, from the evocative Shakespeare settings of Ralph Vaughan Williams to the contemplative sound worlds of Arvo Pärt, Cecilia McDowall, Einojuhani Rautavaara and Jevgeņijs Ustinskovs.
Together, these works invite listeners to experience the many forms of transformation that music can embody—spiritual, emotional, and artistic—revealing the extraordinary power of choral sound at its most inspired.
Date: May 29th, 2026
Place: La Viale (Église des Pères du Saint-Sacrement). Chaussée de Wavre 203. 1050 Ixelles
Time: 8pm
namur en chœurS
The 2026 edition of Namur en Chœurs promises to transform the heart of Namur into a vibrant celebration of collective voice and musical passion. Bringing together choirs from Belgium and beyond, this highly anticipated festival will fill the city’s historic venues and streets with harmonies ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary arrangements.
Among the participating ensembles, Lassenne Vocale will proudly take part, sharing its distinctive sound and musical sensitivity with festival audiences. Listeners can expect inspiring performances, moving interpretations, and moments of shared emotion that highlight the power of singing together.
Date: May 31th, 2026
Place: Bourse-Forum, Place d’Armes 1, 5000 Namur.
Time: 3.30pm
NORTHERN LIGHT SOUTHERN FLAME
Under the title Northern Light, Southern Flame, this collaboration between the Brussels-based choir Lassenne Vocale and Seville’s ProyectoeLe brings together musical landscapes shaped by different cultural horizons yet united through the expressive power of choral sound. The program moves between the shimmering sonorities of northern composers and the warmth and vitality of southern traditions: from the oceanic mystery of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Full Fathom Five and the quiet winter reflection of Eric Whitacre’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, to the luminous sacred writing of Cecilia McDowall and the mystical textures of Einojuhani Rautavaara. ProyectoeLe answers with music that ranges from the introspective beauty of Herbert Howells’ Requiem to the rhythmic energy of Veljo Tormis and the radiant colors of Bernat Vivancos. The two choirs finally unite in a shared sonic space, culminating in two contemporary works—Greta’s Cantata No. 8 and Negros fantasmas—written by the conductors of the ensembles themselves, Carlos Cansino and Ivan Yohan, bringing the northern light and southern flame together in a vibrant musical encounter.
Date: July 4th, 2026
Place: Église Sainte-Alice
Time: 8pm
Click here to see more of our upcoming event
Project with Eric Whitacre, October 2026
Highlight Concert December 2026
Choir Trip to Setúbal, Portugal, Spring 2027
what our collaborators say
“Two years ago, VU Chamber Orchestra and the Lassenne Vocale choir delivered a concert of exceptionally high artistic level, performing Dobrogosz Mass! It was a huge honor to welcome such an outstanding choir to Vilnius –
the choir and orchestra created an unforgettable spiritual celebration. I hope we collaborate again soon!”
Modestas Jankūnas, conductor of Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra
“Congratulations to Lassenne Vocale and Alexis Bourdon for this beautiful and sensitive performance of my piece “Analemme”, and thank you for giving the piece its Belgian premiere! I am very grateful to Ivan Yohan for including this piece in Lassenne Vocale’s repertoire. As both composer and an aerospace engineer, it holds a special place in my work since it sets excerpts from astronomical scientific texts to music. “
Aurélian Hallopeau, composer
“It’s been wonderful working with the excellent singers of Lassenne Vocale and their inspirational director Ivan Yohan in the past few years. It was a great honour to be able to attend a service at the St Michel & St Gudula Cathedral in Brussels last year which featured the Belgian premieres of several pieces of mine, and it was fantastic to write a new work for te choir Lumen in Umbra, which they performed so well in last December. I look forward to further collaborations in the future!”
Phillip Cooke, composer
“Collaborating with Lassenne Vocale was creatively rewarding and high octane fun. Rehearsing and performing three of my Choir and Electric Guitar works with them was a highlight of my 2024 concert calender, and hearing my Umbra Animae sung in Belgium, the country where my Great Grandfather died and for whom the piece was written, was deeply moving. The concert venue was spectacular, and the Brussels audience was fully engaged. It was a truly magical experience that I hope to repeat!”
Mark Smythe, composer for film, choir and concert music
“I still vividly remember the emotion I felt during Lassenne Vocale’s performance of O magnum mysterium – which was the world premiere of the piece. Their interpretation had the rare merit of resonating deeply with the very feeling that inspired me while composing it. The piece was meant as a journey – from the heights of unreachable celestial mysteries to the depths of the human spirit – and I believe the conductor and the choir managed to translate this voyage into sound with passion, intensity, emotion, and outstanding skill.”
Giulio De Carlo, composer
Audition announcement 2026
Foreseen projects include a concert that will be conducted by eric whitacre (October 2026) and a choir trip to PORTUGAL (Spring 2027)
HOW TO JOIN OUR CHOIR
Lassenne Vocale is currently welcoming new singers to join the choir in Brussels, with a particular focus on tenor and bass voices.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Passionate and committed singers
Strong musicality and ensemble spirit
Availability for weekly rehearsal in Brussels (every Tuesday)
Questions? Ideas? Want to sing with us?
Hire us for your event?
Send us a note—we’re all ears!
Lassenne Vocale 