Lisa Davidsen in Verdi's La Forza del Destino
Opera superstar soprano Lise Davidsen stars in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” streaming Live in HD to cinemas around the world this Saturday, March 9 at 12 noon ET.
Davidsen is from a small town in Norway and made her Met debut in the role of Lisa in Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” in November 2019. She will be back at the famed opera house next season as a star in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” and Puccini’s “Tosca.”
I interviewed the dynamic Davidsen recently about her advice for opera goers, her New York gems and her favorite way to unwind from a performance.
My favorite opera that's not my own is:
A good Figaro or Idomeno is always fun, both have so much good music.
My pre-performance ritual:
I don’t have many, but I always do some yoga before I go to the opera.
After a performance, I...
I wish I could say that I go straight to sleep but I always need some time to “wind down” so I usually have something to eat and then it’s bedtime.
My favorite kind of operagoer (does what):
Sends good energy to the stage and has a positive mindset!
My role model in business is:
I’ve always looked up to Renée Fleming, even if I haven’t worked with her. She has intelligently curated her opera repertoire. She always delivers the highest standards.
The best piece of career advice I've gotten is...:
Not long ago I was told “You have to do what makes you happy.” I needed to hear that to help me make decisions for the future.
The other piece of advice I’ve received is to always vocally warm-up properly. Regardless of if it’s a short rehearsal or a long opera, I always make sure I’ve warmed-up properly.
Get the most out of an opera by...
For the audience I would say read the synopsis and maybe listen to some of it before you go if it’s your first time or a new opera for you.
The restaurant I love most near the MET is...
Rosa Mexicano, they have an amazing guacamole!
The morning after a big performance, I...
I don’t have anything special I do, but if the adrenaline is still running in my body I often to the gym in the morning knowing that I’ll be so very tired in the afternoon.
My preferred way to destress is to...
Watch a movie or a TV show that doesn’t demand much of me at home with my fiancé.
The destination I love to travel to most for work is...
New York.
My favorite spot in New York is:
Central Park. I try to find time every day I’m in New York to walk through the park.
