Virgile Van Essche is a Belgian pianist, fortepianist, art song pianist and repetiteur. Trained at Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory, London Royal Academy of Music and Brussels Royal Conservatory, he is now based in Brussels.
His activities are shared between international collaborative projects with singers and instrumentalists and work in opera.
Keen language lover, Virgile knows French, Russian, English and is proficient in German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.
Activities
Competitions
Virgile has won several prizes at international duo competitions.
With soprano Mariamielle Lamagat at Les Saisons de la Voix de Gordes in 2018 (4 prizes awarded unanimously by the jury) ; with mezzo-soprano Tina Drole at Concours International Triomphe de l’art in Brussels in 2019 (3rd prize for duo) ; in 2025, he is a finalist of both Clermont Auvergne Opera competitions (with soprano Juliette Allen) and Sibelius Singing Competition (with tenor Mitch Raemaekers).
Performances
His performances took place in major venues in Belgium, Europe, and beyond.
In Belgium he played at Brussels’ Palace for Fine Arts (Salle M), Flagey (Studio 1), La Monnaie/De Munt, Wolubilis, La Ferme du Biéreau, Le Delta (Namur), Minart Schouwburg (Gent), Brussels Conservatory Great Hall Régence, Salle Botanique, Museum of Musical Instruments, Pianos Maene, Atelier Marcel Hastir,…
In Europe he performed in London (Duke’s Hall, St. James’ Piccadilly Church,…), in France in Paris (Salle Alfred Cortot), Lille (Foyer de l’Opéra), Clermont-Ferrand (Opéra), in the Nederlands at ‘s-Hertogenbosch’ Citadel and Zeist International Lied Festival,…
In Saint-Petersburg at the Philharmonical Hall Glinka, at the Kaliningrad Music Festival and recently in Aqaba, Jordan, at the Jerash Music Festival.
He was chosen to take part in the famous course “Georg Solti Academia for Repetiteurs”, happening on San Giorgio Maggiore Island in Venice, Italy.
Partnerships
Virgile enjoys multiple partnerships with singers and instrumentalists. He is especially dedicated to his duos with soprano Juliette Allen and with tenor Mitch Raemaekers.
Work
Virgile works and teaches at Liège Royal Conservatory since 2024. He highly values this chance to contribute to forming emerging talents in one of Belgium’s top music schools.
2016
London
Virgile achieved a Master of Arts Degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London studying piano accompaniment and chamber music with renowned teachers such as Malcolm Martineau, James Baillieu, Audrey Hyland and Michael Dussek.
He got graduated in July 2018 with a high distinction for his final recital.
2018
Brussels
Virgile is also an alumnus of Brussels Royal Conservatoire, where he studied with the Belgian pianist and vocal coach Philippe Riga.
Aiming for a better understanding of music composed for historical keyboards, he entered Claire Chevallier’s pianoforte course at the BRC.
Listen
Contact & booking
virgile.v.e@gmail.com
+32 476 57 47 35