ElsaDreisig
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For availability and general enquiries:
Joel Thomas
Alice Stacpoole
Representation
About Elsa
“You often set limits for yourself before they exist,” says Elsa Dreisig. This is certainly not true for the French-Danish native, who is rapidly establishing herself as one of today’s most captivating lyric sopranos. Since joining the studio of the Berlin State Opera in 2015 and going on to become an ensemble member, she has made role debuts at leading houses across Europe, from Zurich to London. As an exclusive recording artist with the label Erato, Elsa in January 2022 released her third album, Mozart x 3, featuring arias from Mozart’s three Da Ponte operas and three opere serie.
Elsa’s interpretations stand out through her commitment to continually uncovering new facets in a role. That also means transcending historic constructs so that the performance comes to life in a believable way. For the soprano, no female personality – whether Manon, Violetta or Fiordiligi – should ever be a victim. “It’s the modern blood that flows in my veins and should also flow into my singing,” she explains.
And yet the ultimate goal is to “make the score heard: with a solid technique – that goes without saying – but also a body that can recreate the character in the flesh.” She likens the psychological knowledge required to a kind of inner nourishment that feeds her musical delivery. Upon debuting in the title role in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena at the Grand Théâtre de Genève in 2021, Elsa above all focused on the queen’s emotional state and tried to relate to her on a personal level.
Elsa thrives on participating in what she identifies as exceptional events – even if they involve some risk. In 2017, she jumped in at a day’s notice to sing Haydn’s Creation with the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle. This season, after giving concerts with two different orchestras in Copenhagen, the Berlin State Opera called on her to appear as Pamina just a few hours later. “I hope to never rest on my laurels,” she says, “and continue to explore.”
Representation
Season Highlights
Video
[EXTRAIT] ROMÉO ET JULIETTE by Gounod (Elsa Dreisig, Benjamin Bernheim)
Découvrez Roméo et Juliette de Gounod dans la mise en scène de Thomas Jolly, jusqu'au 15 juillet 2023 à l'Opéra Bastille : https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-22... Combien de compositeurs ont été inspirés par les amants de Vérone dépeints par Shakespeare ? De Vincenzo Bellini à Leonard Bernstein en passant par Hector Berlioz, la liste est longue. Si le Roméo et Juliette de Charles Gounod, créé pendant l’Exposition universelle de 1867, remporte d’emblée un succès populaire, c’est sans doute parce qu’il a traduit le plus finement la pulsion de vie des célèbres amoureux. Quatre duos d’amour, une valse ardente, une musique lumineuse et lyrique : toute la partition frissonne de désir et de fraîcheur. Qui mieux que Thomas Jolly, l’un des plus inventifs metteurs en scène de sa génération, pouvait célébrer cet hymne à la jeunesse ? Après son Eliogabalo de Cavalli en 2016, ce fin connaisseur de Shakespeare signe sa deuxième collaboration avec l’Opéra national de Paris. Credit: Opera National de Paris
PlayingElsa Dreisig - Mozart x 3
Elsa Dreisig credits Mozart with being the composer who first inspired her to become a professional singer. Now the French-Danish soprano pays him tribute with an album devoted entirely to arias from his operas. Its title, Mozart x 3, reflects a programme constructed around the three masterpieces composed to libretti written by Lorenzo Da Ponte: Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte. Elsa Dreisig sings arias allocated to three different characters in each of these operas. The total of nine ‘Da Ponte arias’ is complemented by three arias from examples of the dignified genre opera seria: La clemenza di Tito, Idomeneo and Lucio Silla. Accompanying Elsa Dreisig is the Kammerorchester Basel, conducted by Louis Langrée. Credit: Elsa Dreisig
PlayingElsa Dreisig & Julie Fuchs sing Mozart: Mitridate rè di Ponto, K. 87, Act II: "Se viver non degg'io"
Sopranos Elsa Dreisig and Julie Fuchs sing as Sifare and Aspasia, respectively, in "Se viver non degg'io" from Mozart's Mitridate, rè di Ponto, with Les Musiciens du Louvre under the baton of Marc Minkowski. Listen to the full duet and more: https://w.lnk.to/mitLY This electrifying recording stars baritenor Michael Spyres in the title role, alongside a star cast that also includes Sabine Devieilhe as Ismene, Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian as Farnace, Adriana Bignagni Lesca as Arbate, and Cyrille Dubois as Marzio. Mozart was just 14 years old when he composed Mitridate, rè di Ponto for performance in Milan. An opera seria set in ancient times, it boasts a sequence of spectacular arias for its cast of strongly contrasting characters. At the center of the action is Mitridate himself – the historical Mithridatus, King of Pontus, a ruler of Persian-Greek ancestry who was a formidable opponent of the Roman empire. Credit: Warner Classics
PlayingThibaut Garcia & Elsa Dreisig perform Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
Soprano Elsa Dreisig and guitarist Thibaut Garcia perform the ethereal Ave Maria, arranged by Gounod from a theme by Bach, in this live concert at the Grandes Écuries de Chantilly in France. Credit: Warner Classics
Playing
Photos
Selected Repertoire
| Bellini | I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Giulietta) |
|---|---|
| Berg | Wozzeck (Marie) • Lulu (Lulu) |
| Bizet | Carmen (Micaëla) |
| Charpentier | Louise (Louise) |
| Debussy | Pelléas et Mélisande (Mélisande) |
| Donizetti | Anna Bolena (Anna Bolena) • Roberto Devereaux (Elisabetta) • Maria Stuarda (Elisabetta) |
| Dvořák | Rusalka (Rusalka) |
| Gounod | Romeo et Juliette (Juliette) • Faust (Marguerite) |
| Handel | Alcina (Alcina) |
| J. Strauss | Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde) |
| Massenet | Manon (Manon) • Thaïs (Thaïs) |
| Mozart | Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira) • Cosi fan tutte (Fiordiligi) • Idomeneo (Elettra) • Mitridate (Sifare) • Le nozze di Figaro (Contessa) • Die Zauberflote (Pamina), |
| Poulenc | Dialogues of the Carmelites (Blanche de la Force) |
| Puccini | La Boheme (Mimi) • Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta) |
| R. Strauss | Capriccio (Countess Madeleine) • Salome (Salome) • Arabella (Arabella) |
| Verdi | La Traviata (Violetta) • Otello (Desdemona) • Simon Boccanegra (Amelia) • Falstaff (Alice Ford) |
News
Press
Le nozze di Figaro (Contessa Almaviva)
Bayerische StaatsoperOct 2023Elsa Dreisig ist derzeit eine breit gefeierte Contessa Almaviva. Mit ihrer eleganten Erscheinung und ruhigen Haltung ist sie ein passender Gegensatz zum lebhaften Gatten. Ihre Stimme unterstreicht mit einer feinsinnigen, klar intonierten und ruhig geführten Melodien die Qualität und technische Sicherheit. Vollmundig artikuliert sie die Vokale und versteht Gefühle zu unterlegen. [TRANSLATED] Elsa Dreisig is currently a widely celebrated Contessa Almaviva. With her elegant appearance and calm demeanor, she is a fitting contrast to her lively husband. Her voice underlines the quality and technical security with a subtle, clearly intonated and calmly led melody. She articulates the vowels full-bodied and understands how to convey feelings.
- Opera Online
- 12 November 2023
Elsa Dreisig è la contessa Almaviva. Esprime disperazione, rabbia, tenerezza con una voce limpida e fresca e un portamento nobile. [TRANSLATED] Elsa Dreisig is Countess Almaviva. She expresses despair, anger and tenderness with a clear, fresh voice and noble bearing.
- L'ape musicale
- 16 November 2023
Elsa Dreißig ist wieder mal die stöckelschuhstaksige Gräfin zwischen Depression und Eherettungsangriff. Vor allem ihre zweite Arie singt sie mit herrlichen Bögen und verletzlicher Delikatesse. [TRANSLATED] Elsa Dreisig is once again the high-heeled countess between depression and an attempt to save her marriage. She sings her second aria in particular with wonderful arches and vulnerable delicacy.
- Welt
- 07 November 2023
Die Gräfin wird dargestellt von Elsa Dreisig, die neu im Ensemble der Bayerischen Staatsoper ist. Wie schwerelos schwebt ihre Stimme durch den Raum und verleiht der Partie auch da überzeugende Emotion, wo die Personenregie an ihre Grenzen kommt. [TRANSLATED] The Countess is played by Elsa Dreisig, who is new to the Bavarian State Opera ensemble. Her voice floats weightlessly through the space and lends the role convincing emotion even where the direction of the characters reaches its limits.
- Das Opernmagazin
- 03 November 2023
Berückend die Contessa di Almaviva der Elsa Dreisig. Man versteht nicht, wie der Graf eine so schöne, so meisterhaft und nuanciert singende Frau (und wenn er auch aus der Rolle fiele) links liegen lässt. Die Staatsoper kann sich glücklich schätzen, so eine Ausnahmesängerin zum Ensemble zählen zu dürfen. Leider nur für ein Jahr. [TRANSLATED] The Contessa di Almaviva by Elsa Dreisig is enchanting. One cannot understand how the Count would ignore a woman who is so beautiful, sings so masterfully and with such nuances (even if he were out of character). The State Opera can consider itself lucky to be able to count such an exceptional singer in the ensemble. Unfortunately only for one year.\
- Ioco
- 16 November 2023
Elsa Dreisig war eine artifiziell ausgefeilte Gräfin; überzeugend bereits ihr erster Auftritt „Porgi amor” zu Beginn des zweiten Akts, vielschichtig ihre Rolle zwischen Enttäuschung und Liebesschmerz. [TRANSLATED] Elsa Dreisig was an artificially polished Countess; her first appearance "Porgi amor" at the beginning of the second act was already convincing, her role multi-layered between disappointment and the pain of love.
- Bachtrack
- 31 October 2023
