By Luke Voogt
Geelong “rising star” Lee Abrahamsen will play a favourite heroine on Friday, in the first major Melbourne production of Tristan and Isolde in 17 years.
“Isolde is a gift of a role – I love her character!” the soprano said.
“(She has) an underlying strength, where she stands up to so many strong male roles throughout the opera.”
Abrahamsen caught the eye of Melbourne Opera conductor Greg Hocking when she performed as a another great Wagner heroine, Elisabeth, in Tannhäuser in 2016.
“(He) asked me at a coffee meeting whether I had ever contemplated looking at the role of Isolde,” she said.
“After many weeks of studying the role, I accepted the offer and started working hard.”
But Abrahamsen, who also teaches music at Geelong high schools, admitted to being “tentative” about the “mammoth role”.
“So many wonderful Idols of mine have achieved greatness playing her,” she said.
“Yet a few weeks into learning the role, I immediately became transfixed with the story and became excited about the journey ahead.”
She said the 152-year-old opera’s timeless themes like love, family and infidelity made it relatable to a 21st century.
“The major difference for me is the costumes. I don’t like wearing corsets!”
Limelight, Australia’s classical music and arts magazine recently hailed Abrahamsen as a “rising star”.
She sang the national anthem at the Ashes test in front of an 88,172-strong crowd on Boxing Day.
“Apparently Hugh Jackman loved my high note as he was commentating!” she said.
Tristan and Isolde plays at the The Palais, Melbourne, on 2, 5 and 7 February.
