The Belgian tenor, Jan van Elsacker, enjoyed his first singing training at the Antwerp’s Kathedraalkoor under the direction of Jan Schrooten, who gave him frequently the opportunity to perform as a soloist. He studied at the Koninklijk Vlaams Muziekconservatorium in Antwerp, and received the 1st Prize for singing and for piano with Liane Jespers and Frédéric Gevers respectively. Later followed lessons with Dina Grossberger and participation in several master-classes with Noëlle Barker.
From 1987 to 1991 Jan van Elsacker sang in several concerts with Collegium Vocale Gent and La Chapelle Royale (Philippe Herreweghe), La Petite Bande (Gustav Leonhardt, Sigiswald Kuijken), Anima Eterna (Jos van Immerseel) and the Vlaams Radiokoor (Vic Nees). With the Currende Consort (Erik Van Nevel) he made recordings for both radio and TV (among other things the series ‘Flemish polyphony’ of Eufoda) and CD recordings.
In 1996, Jan van Elsacker became winner of the International Soloist Competition ‘Musica Antiqua Brugge’ and he was selected for ”Erna Spoorenberg Vocalisten Presentatie’. In 1997, he performed together with Jos van Immerseel recital of Schubert Lieder, and with Claire Chevallier was invited by Radio Bremen to sing Lieder of Haydn and Schubert. In 1998, he sang cantatas of J.S. Bach with Musica Antiqua Köln directed by Reinhard Goebel at the Early Music Festival of Brugge. He has taken part in concerts with Nederlandse Bachvereniging, I Fiamminghi, Capella Musicae Graz, Currende, Ex Tempore, Ricercar Consort, Le Parlement de Musique, Rheinische Kantorei, La Fenice, Il Gardellino, Collegium Instrumentale Brugense and other renowned ensembles.
At present Jan van Elsacker regularly co-operates with the ensemble Akademia (France) directed by Françoise Lasserre and with Huelgas Ensemble directed by Paul van Nevel. On CD Jan van Elsacker can be heard as the Evangelist in Johannes-Passion by Georg Frideric Handel and the Maria Vespers by C. Monteverdi (label ‘Vox Temporis’ directed by Florian Heyerick).