Canadian mezzo-soprano Kady Evanyshyn takes us to Hamburg, Germany, where she is singing the role of Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel at Staatsoper Hamburg from November 30th to December 25th (tickets and info).
Kady has been an ensemble member at Staatsoper Hamburg since 2019. This season she also appears in Das Paradies und die Peri, Die Unruhenden, Elektra, La Traviata and Die Zauberflöte. She will also be making her debut at Teatro La Fenice as Amore in Sciarrino’s Venere e Adone.
While in Hamburg, Kady chats with us about the energy of the opera house, restaurant recommendations and where she goes to unwind. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
Hamburg – the most beautiful city in Germany!
How long are you working on contract?
I’m an ensemble member in the house, and have been since 2022! So this is my artistic home. But I’ve been working on Hänsel und Gretel all throughout November and December, with our last show on Christmas Day.
What’s the opera house like?
Filled with positive and welcoming energy! We recently had a change of Intendant, Tobias Kratzer, and now the house is alive with new ideas. It also means new guest artists and house debuts, such as our marvelous conductor, Killian Farrell. I feel very lucky to be here at this moment.
Most peaceful place in the city?
My apartment! But when I want a proper spa day, I love to go to the salt water thermal pool at the Kaifu-Sole. It’s the oldest pool in Hamburg, and has been a source of relaxation for over 120 years!
Best coffee or tea?
Hamburg is known for its roasteries. To drink: Planten Coffee or Brühwerk, right by the opera. To buy beans to take home: Elbgold or Coffee Unlimited. And for tea: every tea shop in Hamburg makes their own unique blends, and each are worth checking out.
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Oh boy! Picking one is tough. We’re very loyal to Vineyard, a wine shop and tapas bar right near our place. They have hundreds of wines to pick from and amazing local cheese. But if you want true German food, I would recommend either Frau Möller on Lange Reihe – the portions are massive – or Atlantik Fisch & Bistrocean by the water. There’s nothing quite like piping hot mussels and ice cold white wine (especially if the weather is nice enough to sit outside!)
An activity unique to the area?
It’s Christmas time right now, so of course you have to go to the Christmas markets! There are over 30 in the city to explore.
Something unexpected that happens locally?
Tons of things! Too many festivals and traditions to name. What I love most about Hamburg is the way that people embrace each season wholeheartedly – whether it’s Christmas time right now, or the infamous Spargelzeit (Asparagus season) in spring.
How did you find accommodation?
I live here! Though Hamburg is somewhat notoriously hard to find an apartment.
Most important thing when finding accommodation as a singer?
Contact friends! Contact friends of friends! Look for sublets! Staying in a home is always nicer than a rental. I personally love living with others when I travel, but even for those that don’t, there’s nothing like a well-stocked kitchen!
Have you explored some galleries or museums?
Of course! The Kunsthalle is very nice in Hamburg – they have a collection of paintings by Caspar David Friedrich that are just wonderful.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KADY EVANYSHYN
VISIT HER WEBSITE
© Photo used with permission from the artist
Winter in Hamburg
© Photo used with permission from the artist
Backstage at Staatsoper Hamburg
© Photo used with permission from the artist
As Hänsel
© Photo used with permission from the artist
As Hänsel the Evening Prayer
Händel und Gretel
Hamburg State Opera
November 30 – December 25CONDUCTOR: Killian Farrell
DIRECTOR: Peter Beauvais
SET DESIGN: Jan Schlubach
COSTUME DESIGN: Barbara Bilabel and Susanne Raschig
PETER: Kartal Karagedik/Chao Deng
GERTRUD: Katja Pieweck
HÄNSEL: Ida Aldrian/Kady Evanyshyn
GRETEL: Narea Son/Marie Maidowski
GINGERBREAD WITCH: Hellen Kwon/Jürgen Sacher
SANDMAN: Aebh Kelly
DEW FAIRY: Mariana Poltorak
ALSTERSPATZEN – KINDER- UND JUGENDCHOR DER HAMBURGISCHEN STAATSOPER
PHILHARMONISCHES STAATSORCHESTER HAMBURG
“Don‘t you know the horrible dark place, don’t you know the evil one lives there?” Hastily, their parents set out for the woods to save Hansel and Gretel from the witch Rosina Leckermaul. As they feared, the children have got lost in the woods and found the gingerbread house. They cannot resist the sweet temptation – and fall straight into the trap of the witch, who likes children so much she could eat them up… literally.
As in most tales of the Brothers Grimm, in Engelbert Humperdinck’s setting of the fairytale all ends well: until that point, however, Humperdinck’s romantic music accompanies the children deep into the dark forest of legend. Here it invokes magical beings, calls on 14 angels to protect the siblings and allows the witch to ride her broomstick through the air. Today, Humperdinck’s classic, premiered in Weimar in 1893, is as much a part of Christmastime as gingerbread and tree decorations – and has invited young audiences and those young at heart all over the world into its fairytale world ever since.
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