Canadian soprano Sophie Naubert takes us to Lübeck, where she is singing the title role in Handel‘s musical drama Semele at Theater Lübeck from November 15th, 2024 to April 27th, 2025 (info and tickets here).
Sophie is making a name for herself internationally in both the opera and concert worlds. At age 23, she made her solo debut with the Orchestre Métropolitain under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. She has also performed with Arion Orchestre Baroque, Les Ambassadeurs – La Grande Écurie, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Cottbus, the Orchestre Classique de Montréal, the Gatineau Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Caprice and the Société philharmonique de Montréal. Sophie is currently a member of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal.
While in Lübeck, Sophie chats with us about the local cuisine, best running trails and the scariest night of the year (New Year’s Eve). Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
Lübeck, Germany.
How long are you working on contract?
A total of six months. Rehearsals started October 10th 2024 for a six-week period of time with 11 shows between November 15th 2024 and April 27th 2025.
What’s the opera house like?
It’s such a friendly and welcoming work place. Every single person with whom I’ve worked on and off stage have been a delight to talk to. The theatre itself has a lively acoustic that is always wonderful to sing in!
Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
My running trail around Lübecker Altstadt (Old town of Lübeck) where there are secluded woods along a beautiful canal.
Best coffee or tea?
I actually don’t drink coffee and I make myself tea that I bring from tea shops from home. Though the best Marzipanpunsch I’ve tasted (a typical Lübeck hot sweet Marzipan-flavoured beverage) is from Marzipan Speicher Café. They are especially popular during the holidays in Christmas markets.
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Buddha Bowl! An outstanding explosion of flavours!
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An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
Eating Fischbrötchen along the water. Northern Germany is known for their tasty fresh fish, grilled or fried, served in a delicious bun garnished with toppings.
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
One unexpected thing I discovered (that made me fear a little bit for my life!) is how Germans celebrate the New Year. In Germany, fireworks are banned all year round except a few days prior to New Year’s, so they go all out with them at that time. On January 1st at midnight, I saw every household exploding their fireworks just a few meters away from each other. Some flew in random directions (instead of upwards!) creating a thrilling yet scary experience!
How did you find accommodation?
The theatre provided an apartment for me during the six weeks of rehearsals and provides two nights at a hotel for every show.
What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
A working kitchen! Making my own meals is important to me as it’s healthier than eating out and cooking is therapeutic.
Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
I unfortunately haven’t visited galleries nor museums, though I have explored Lübeck’s five beautiful Gothic brick churches. It is the city of the spires that play a crucial role in the city’s landscape!
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
The Christmas markets, lights and decorations in Lübeck are simply magical starting in November and ending early January.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOPHIE NAUBERT
VISIT HER WEBSITE
© Olaf Malzahn
As Semele at Theater Lübeck
© Sophie Naubert
Sunset in Lübeck
© Sophie Naubert
Fischbrötchen
© Olaf Malzahn
As Semele at Theater Lübeck
Semele
Theatre Lübeck
November 15 – April 27
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Takahiro Nagasaki
STAGE DIRECTOR: Stephen Lawless
SET AND COSTUME DESIGN: Ashley Martin-Davis
CHOREOGRAPHY: Lynne Hockney
CHORUSMASTER: Jan-Michael Krüger
LIGHTING: Falk Hampel
VIDEO: Andreas Beer
DRAMATURGY: Jens Ponath
SEMELE: Sophie Naubert
JUPITER/APOLLO: Fredrick Jones
ATHAMAS: Delia Bacher
JUNO/INO: Laila Salome Fischer
IRIS: Andrea Stadel
CADMUS/SOMNUS: Florian Götz
DANCERS: Matthias Egger, Piotr Knichalla and Nils Marckwardt
Chor des Theater Lübeck
Statisterie des Theater Lübeck
Philharmonisches Orchester der Hansestadt Lübeck
She is a woman whose excessive desires lead to her own extinction: The Theban princess Semele is to marry Prince Athamas at her father’s request, but falls in love with the god Jupiter, who appears to her in human form. On her wedding day, Semele therefore willingly allows herself to be abducted into his realm. The love-struck Jupiter swears to his new lover that he will grant her every wish. His jealous wife Juno uses this promise for a devious intrigue: In the guise of Semele’s sister Ino, she convinces Semele that she can achieve immortality if she sees Jupiter in his true, divine form. In this way, she tells Semele that she wishes for Jupiter, without, of course, revealing to her that the sight of a god is unbearable for a human being. Semele will burn in the face of the real Jupiter.
After Handel had dominated London’s musical life for over three decades with his Italian-language operas, around 1740 he turned to the genre of the oratorio, a dramatic narrative performed in concert in the local language, with numerous choirs. His “Semele”, based on an episode from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”, which premiered in 1744, also follows this form.
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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.
