Denise Beck already started her career during her studies in Vienna when she was invited to sing at the Wiener Volksoper. Shortly hereafter she debuted at the Landestheater Salzburg. The young Danish soprano already performed at the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, the festival Operklosterneuburg the Wiener Konzerthaus and Musikverein Wien, the Wigmore Hall London, the Teatro National de Brasil, the Opera City Tokyo, Den Nye Opera in Bergen, the Kungliga Operan in Stockholm, the Bregenzer Festspiele, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and at Den Noske Opera in Oslo. Dénise will perform the Zafraan Ensemble at Radialsysten V on March 10th & 11th 2018.
FACTS:
1: human
2: mother
3: singer… in exactly that order
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
People. Their stories, their lives, their thoughts, their feelings and the encounter between different characters – leading to different dilemmas and/or awakening!
2. How and when did you get into making music?
When I was 7. I started playing the violin… My first solo-performance as a singer was when I was 17. I performed “Angle Eyes” with my dear friend Ida Rud
playing the piano. I almost pee’d my pants! Was way to shy and nervous to be singing in front of an audience – but I did it anyway… And I guess that was the beginning of it all.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
I have no favorites – they change as my life changes. So I’ll write past favorites- albums that made a difference in my life in some way;
1. Grieg “Peer Gynt” with my great-grandfather playing the violin in the orchestra. It made me want to play the violin – and later in my childhood, I would play this album and either dance or conduct to the music…
2. Verdi “La Traviata” with Anna Moffo. It was the first time I heard an opera from the beginning to the end- without watching it- and it moved me to tears!
3. Skunk Anansie “Stoosh” – inspired me because of the strong female lead singer… I was singing in my band “Indica” at the time
4. “Billy the mountain” by Frank Zappa/Mothers of invention – I LOVE the Humor and the way to use music/sounds to make a statement through a story.
5. It’s not an album, but a song – one of the strongest ever: “Strange fruit” with Billy Holiday…!
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Diversity, chaos and inspiration! The place I found love, the place I had my children, the place that makes me feel grand and tiny, loved and lonely, as a stranger and at home – at the same time.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Actually my home…
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Without music I would probably be depressed. But as a profession, I guess I would work as an actress. Or maybe something completely different, to please my longing for safety and routine.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
“Lulu” by Kuhlau (Danish opera)
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Oh my! There are so many! Am very excited to collaborate with Zafraan Ensemble at the moment – that has been a dream of mine for quite some time…
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
I am in the lucky position to have had several great gigs! The Royal Opera Copenhagen is the most recent favorite gig- great role, fantastic conductor (Sébastien Rouland), awesome director (Christian von Götz) and the best cast and colleagues ever!
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Not really a lot. I listen to the music I am learning (if it’s been recorded before) -but I am mostly an acoustic singer.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have two brothers. I guess one didn’t take it all too seriously and the other was worried – but now they seem happy and proud.
To Listen: denisebeck.sound
