Dianne van Giersbergen

Dianne van Giersbergen (born 3 June 1985 in Liempde) is a Dutch spinto soprano[1][2] singer-songwriter and vocal coach. She is the founder and frontwoman of Dutch progressive metal band Ex Libris,[3] and she was the vocalist of German symphonic metal band Xandria from 25 October 2013, to 13 September 2017.[4]

Dianne van Giersbergen
Dianne van Giersbergen performing live in 2014
Background information
Birth nameDianne van Giersbergen
Born (1985-06-03) 3 June 1985
Liempde, Netherlands
GenresSymphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, vocal coach
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2003–present
LabelsNapalm Records
Associated actsEx Libris, Xandria, Pathfinder, Stream of Passion
Websitediannevangiersbergen.com

She is not related to Dutch singer Anneke van Giersbergen.[5]

Early life and education

Dianne van Giersbergen received her first singing lessons as a birthday present from her parents at the age of four. In the following years, she was taught by several professors and sang in several choirs. In 2005, she began studying classical music at the ArtEZ School of Music where she focused on classical singing and musical theater. In 2009, she received her degree with honors.

Meanwhile, she expanded her vocal technique and began to combine her classical training with heavy metal music. She also worked on the theory of composition, wrote poetry and organized classical music concerts.

Musical career

Ex Libris (2004–present)
Dianne van Giersbergen performing with Ex Libris in 2014

After graduating with a Bachelor and master's degree from the ArtEZ school and perfecting the combination of classical techniques with progressive metal music, Dianne van Giersbergen formed Ex Libris along with drummer Joost van de Pas.

Their debut album "Amygdala" was released in 2009. The album was well received by critics and fans, and the band started to act as support for shows of other Dutch symphonic metal bands such as Epica, Delain, Stream of Passion or ReVamp. They also played shows abroad in countries such as Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom, where the band started to receive attention.

Their second album "Medea", based on a Greek tragedy, was released in January 2014, financed independently through crowdfunding.

Their third studio album Ann - a progressive metal trilogy appeared in 2019, featuring three "Chapters" (each consisting of three songs) about three female historical characters who met an untimely death (Ann Boleyn, Anastasia Romanova and Anne Frank).

Xandria (2013–2017)
Dianne van Giersbergen performing with Xandria in 2016

On 25 October 2013, Dianne van Giersbergen was presented as the new lead singer of the German symphonic metal band Xandria after the departure of Manuela Kraller. On 28 November 2013, was her first live debut with Xandria in Madrid, Spain. Her debut album with the band was released on 2 May 2014, named Sacrificium.

On 31 July 2015, her second work with Xandria called Fire & Ashes was released with a total of 7 tracks. 3 new songs, 2 remakes of well known Xandria classics, and 2 cover songs.

On 27 January 2017, her third and current work with Xandria titled Theater of Dimensions was released.

On 13 September 2017, she left Xandria due to personal reasons and tensions with the other band members.[6]

Reviews

Giersbergen's vocal and performing delivery can pull in the audience, according to a review in Mindbreed.[7] Reviewer Tim Blevins in 2014 noted that Giersbergen seemed to be a "good fit" for the band Xandria.[8] Reviewer Eric May in 2013 in New Noise magazine described her as a "sultry siren" and wrote that there was "something majestically powerful in her mesmerizing vocal harmonies."[5] Another reviewer described her vocals as "breathtaking" with great personality, charisma and charm.[9]

Discography

Guest appearances

References
  1. "Xandria Interview 2014 with Dianne van Giersbergen & Marco Heubaum". Metal Trails Music Magazine. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  2. "Dianne van Giersbergen discusser vocal type in the comments of an instagram post".
  3. Erwin Van Dijk, Sept. 2012, Ex Libris, Interview : Dianne van Giersbergen – Ex Libris (2010), Accessed 4 July 2014, "...This interview is with Dianne van Giersbergen, the singer of Ex Libris...."
  4. 2014-07-01, Festival Info, music review, REVIEW : HAL2A – DICK `S LAST DAYS, Accessed 4 July 2014, "...Dutch soprano Dianne van Giersbergen ... known by the German symphonic metal band Xandria. Her singing is fine...."
  5. 19 May 2014, Eric May, New Noise Magazine, Album Review: Xandria – “Sacrificum”, Accessed 4 July 2014, "...Newcomer and sultry siren, Dianne Van Giersbergen (not related to Anneke) ... something majestically powerful in her mesmerizing vocal harmonies. ..."
  6. "Vocalist DIANNE VAN GIERSBERGEN – "I Am Leaving XANDRIA"; Emotional Audio Message Streaming". BraveWords. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  7. Fabian Bernhard, 30 June 2014, Mindbreed, Xandria live in Berlin – In the sign of the Phoenix, Accessed 4 July 2014, "... highlight, however, was definitely Dianne, who managed to pull the audience right from the start in its spell...."
  8. Tim Blevins, 25 April 2014, Music Review, Xandria Releases Video For, “Nightfall”, Accessed 4 July 2014, "...‘Sacrificium’ ... new vocalist Dianne van Giersbergen (Ex Libris), ... good fit for the band ..."
  9. Vasihali Jain, 29 May 2014, Metal Wani,INTERVIEW: XANDRIA's DIANNE VAN GIERSBERGEN On Success – "It Takes Blood, Sweat, Tears And Above All, Devotion"], Accessed 4 July 2014, "...Xandria fans warmly welcomed ... Dianne van Giersbergen ... personality, charisma and charm only adorns her breathtaking singing and vocal styles. ...Dianne ... vocal coach...."
  10. Michael Spiggos, Rock Overdose Magazine, Dianne Van Giersbergen (XANDRIA) on Rock Overdose:"Sacrificium marks a new era for the band but also for me as a singer!" Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Accessed 4 July 2014, "... “Sacrificium" is your first studio recording with Xandria. ..."
  11. "AYREON - Tracklist Of Forthcoming Transitus Album Revealed - BraveWords". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (Podcast). 23 June 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
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