The Dutch countertenor Gerben van der Werf made his operatic debut at the age of 12 as Erster Knabe in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Having received a thorough vocal training at the local Anglican boys’ choir, singing was such a natural part of his life that the young Dutchman did not consider pursuing a career as a professional singer, but went on to obtain graduate degrees in Chemistry, Physics, and History and Philosophy of Science at Utrecht University. In recent years, however, the desire to sing and nurture his lyrical talents became so prominent that he decided to change his career plans entirely, and instead dedicate his life to become an opera singer. He trained at the Dutch National Opera Academy and is one of the most exciting talents of his generation.