British-Canadian soprano Jessica Muirhead takes us to Copenhagen, where she is singing the role of Eva in Wagner‘s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg from March 16th to April 27th (info and tickets here).
Jessica enjoys a busy career on concert and opera stages all over North America and Europe. During the 2024/2025 season, she performed with Ópera de Oviedo, Bochumer Symphoniker, Münchner Symphoniker, Oper Köln and The Royal Danish Opera.
While in Copenhagen, Jessica shares the beauty of the opera house (or Operaen), must-visit museums and the best place to grab a pastry before heading to the opera. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
I am currently working in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How long are you working on contract?
I started rehearsals for Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at The Royal Danish Opera on January 20th. We opened March 16th, and have 8 performances total, with the final performance on April 27th. There is often almost a week between performances, so I have been returning home to Essen and performing in a production of Carmen at Opera Köln too.
What’s the opera house like?
The opera house, also known as Operaen, home of The Royal Danish Opera is AMAZING! Die Meistersinger is a huge undertaking for any opera house and here they are putting it on to celebrate the 20th birthday of the opera house. It is apparently one of the most expensive opera houses ever built, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this opera is the most expensive one they have ever
done.
The lobby is bright and welcoming with windows floor-to-ceiling and a view over the water to the beautiful Amalienborg Palace grounds and the striking dome of the Frederik’s Church. Inside the hall are four balconies, all with a lovely view of the stage. My favourite seats are actually along the sides of the first balcony where you have a great view into the orchestra pit as well as of the stage.
My dressing room is the best I have ever had, with a huge sofa, piano, huge counter with sink, my own bathroom with shower, but the BEST feature is a built-in humidifier over the door. A singer’s dream!
Best coffee or tea?
Right behind the opera house is a bakery called Hart Holmen. The pastries and coffee are to die for. You may know it from The Bear TV series! There is often a long line up, but I think it’s worth the wait!
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Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
My favourite place to go for a glass of orange natural wine (they are ALL about natural wines here) and something light to eat is called Den Vendrette. It is ever so slightly off the busy tourist main drag in Nyhavn, and has a lovely warm, cosy atmosphere. The dishes are small because you are meant to order several for sharing and the flavours are mouth wateringly delicious.
An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
There are a lot of saunas in Copenhagen, and in the winter it was a wonderful way to beat the gray days. Some saunas even have ladders into the canals from their decks, so your cold plunge is salty and really, REALLY cold. My favourite part was how walking from the sweaty sauna to go get a drink of water or to dive into icy water, you could see the steam coming off everyone’s bodies!
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
You will find people jumping in the ice cold salt water no matter what the weather! Even if there is no sauna to warm up in afterwards!
Also, weather be damned, EVERYBODY rides their bikes to get around the city. But if you choose to join the locals, beware. They are quite fast and rather aggressive. Also make sure you know your hand signals before you attempt to commute by bicycle.
How did you find accommodation?
I found my accommodation through a friend of a friend. Copenhagen is extremely expensive, and apartments get taken quickly, so I was grateful for the connection!
What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
The most important thing for me is to find somewhere within walking or biking distance to the rehearsal space. I need that commute time to help wake up my body before rehearsals and to calm down and clear my head after performances. Plus, everyone on public transit is coughing and sneezing, so I’d rather steer clear!
Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
The National Museum is a must visit to learn about the viking history. Louisiana has also been highly recommended to me, but I haven’t made it there – yet!
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
I highly recommend taking a boat tour when you come to Copenhagen. It’s a great way to see the city and learn about the history! I recommend booking a tour with a live guide.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JESSICA MUIRHEAD
VISIT HER WEBSITE
© Jessica Muirhead
View of the hall from backstage during the overture of Meistersinger
© Jessica Muirhead
Jessica on the famous Nyhavn Street
© Jessica Muirhead
Frederik’s Church
© Jessica Muirhead
View of a beautiful canal on Jessica’s walk home after a performance
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
The Royal Danish Opera
March 16 – April 27
CONDUCTOR:
Axel Kober/Jendrik Springer
DIRECTOR: Laurent Pelly
REVIVAL DIRECTOR: Luc Birraux
SET DESIGN: Caroline Ginet
COSTUME DESIGN: Laurent Pelly
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGN:
Jean-Jacques Delmotte
LIGHTING DESIGN: Urs Schönebaum
CHORUS MASTER: Alessandro Zuppardo
DIRIGENT: Axel Kober/Jendrik Springer
HANS SACHS: Johan Reuter
VEIT POGNER: Jens-Erik Aasbø
SIXTUS BECKMESSER: Tom Erik Lie
EVA: Jessica Muirhead
FRITZ KOTHNER: Jens Søndergaard
KUNZ VOGELGESANG:
Jens Christian Tvilum
KONRAD NACHTIGAL:
Henning von Schulman
BALTHASAR ZORN: Fredrik Bjellsäter
ULRICH EISSLINGER: Niels Jørgen Riis
AUGUSTIN MOSER: Petter Moen
HERMANN ORTEL: Simon Duus
HAND SCHWARS: Kyungil Ko
HANS FOLTZ: Per Bach Nissen
WALTHER VON STOLZING:
Magnus Vigilius/Tomislav Mužek
DAVID:
Jacob Skov Andersen/Ya-Chung Huang
MAGDALENE: Hanne Fischer
EN NATVAEGTER: Nicolai Elsberg
LEHRBUBE: Kirsten Voss/Ava Line Shokooh/Julie Husballe Hansen/Melike Uludag/Mathias Monrad Møller/Theodor Uggla/Ian Marcus Bjørsvik/Magnus Løvlie/Ivar Magnus Sandve/Gerald Geerink/Jonathan Keiding/Giacomo Schmidt
The Royal Danish Orchestra
The Royal Danish Opera Chorus
Wagner’s magnificent comedy in a novel production by master director Laurent Pelly.
Wagner’s comedy, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, celebrates the transformative power of art and love, offering an intense experience in the grand opera format.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg centres on a group of medieval master singers vying to be the best. Yet their stringent rules and rigid structures are challenged by the fresh perspective of the youth.
This opera transcends mere entertainment. Wagner skilfully exposes one of his era’s harshest critics by depicting him as a pedantic and ludicrous official. Wagner infuses the story with sensual depths; the narrative is Tristan und Isolde turned upside down – a love triangle that ends happily as the older, lovesick master singer generously steps aside for the next generation.
The leading role of Hans Sachs is performed by Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter, who has also performed the part in Berlin and Beijing. Danish heroic tenor Magnus Vigilius alternates with Croatian Tomislav Mužek in the role of Walther. Both have appeared in the famous Bayreuther Festspiele. The British-Canadian soprano Jessica Muirhead sings the part of Eva.
The production is staged by world-renowned French director Laurent Pelly, the creative force behind last season’s successful production of Eugene Onegin.
Regular guest conductor at the Wagner Festspiele in Bayreuth, Axel Kober, alternating with Jendrik Springer, will conduct the many opera soloists, the Royal Danish Orchestra and the Royal Danish Opera Chorus.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is performed in German with Danish and English supertitles.
In collaboration with Teatro Real de Madrid and Národní divadlo Brno.
The Royal Danish Theatre extends its gratitude to the Danish Research Foundation, whose donation has enabled the production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
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Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.
