Star-Studded Concert Performance of Verdi’s Macbeth

Soprano Lise Davidsen is the world's most in-demand soprano, making it a remarkable coup that she will perform her first-ever Lady Macbeth with the Royal Danish Opera – a role she is also set to sing next season in the opening production at Metropolitan Opera in New York.

With these two performances of Macbeth, Lise Davidsen returns to the Royal Danish Theatre and the Royal Danish Opera Academy, where she received her training. Following the concerts, she will give a masterclass for young singers currently studying at the Royal Danish Opera Academy and preparing to embark on their professional careers.

“She has a one-in-a-million voice … When she opened her mouth, we were all stunned,” said Antonio Pappano after collaborating with Lise Davidsen in London. The British-Italian conductor is one of the opera world’s leading maestros, renowned for his deep affinity with Verdi’s music – demonstrated both during his tenure as Music Director of Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and through his many acclaimed recordings of Verdi operas.

A rare Verdi celebration

With Lise Davidsen in the dramatic role of Lady Macbeth and Antonio Pappano on the podium, audiences can look forward to a Verdi celebration of the highest calibre. The two international stars are joined in this masterful Shakespearean opera by an outstanding cast of acclaimed soloists. Leading the ensemble is Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey – widely regarded as the preeminent Verdi baritone of his generation – alongside the celebratred tenor Freddie De Tommaso and esteemed bass Alexander Köpeczi. They are accompanied by distinguished soloists from the Royal Danish Opera.

About Lise Davidsen

Lise Davidsen has established herself as one of the world’s leading opera stars, performing at the foremost opera houses and concert halls across the globe. Most recently, she captivated audiences at the Metropolitan Opera in New York with her debut as Isolde in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. She has appeared at opera houses including Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Wiener Staatsoper, Opéra national de Paris, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, La Scala, Milan, Bayerische Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, as well as at the Bayreuth Festival, Glyndebourne Festival and Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.

Davidsen has received numerous international awards and competition honours, including Operalia, the Queen Sonja International Music Competition, the Belvedere Competition and the Kirsten Flagstad Prize. She has appeared on an extensive range of recordings and is an exclusive artist with Decca Records. Davidsen is a graduate of the Royal Danish Opera Academy in Copenhagen.

About Antonio Pappano

Sir Antonio Pappano is one of the foremost conductors of our time, internationally celebrated for his inspiring interpretations of both opera and symphonic repertoire. He is Chief Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Music Director Emeritus of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.

Pappano appears regularly at the world’s most renowned opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Wiener Staatsoper, Staatsoper Berlin, Lyric Opera of Chicago and La Scala in Milan, as well as at the Bayreuth Festival and the Salzburg Festival. He has also appeared as guest conductor with many of the world’s foremost orchestras. Since 1995, Pappano has been an exclusive artist with Warner Classics, and his extensive discography includes several complete Verdi opera recordings, among them Don Carlo, Il trovatore and Aida.

Cast

Macbeth: Quinn Kelsey
Lady Macbeth: Lise Davidsen
Banquo: Alexander Köpeczi
Macduff: Freddie De Tommaso
Malcolm: Jacob Skov Andersen
Lady Macbeth’s Lady-in-Waiting: Gisela Stille
Macbeth’s Servant / A Doctor: Kyungil Ko
A Herald / An Assassin: Dong Huy Kim
Three Apparitions: James Berry / Ramund Rindel Peulicke / Ferdinand Luis Lundberg Vingtoft

Royal Danish Opera Chorus
Royal Danish Orchestra
Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir

Conductor: Antonio Pappano

Gala Concert Macbeth | Opera House, Main Stage | 15 and 17 May
See more about Macbeth Gala Concert here.