October 9, 2025
Athens, GR 14 C
Expand search form
Blog

Ex-addict wins national singing award

Ex-addict wins national singing award

The Leonie Sonnings Talent Awards are the biggest thing in Danish opera.

This year’s winner, announced this morning, is a young soprano at at the Royal Danish Opera who was the subject of a TV documentary last year. Laura Helene Hansen, 30, was a drug addict from the age of 12 until she was 20, when singing revealed itself as her vocation.

 

 

From the prize citation:

Born in the small village of Sandby in central Jutland, music wasn’t her first path. After battling a chronic illness and falling into addiction during her teens, her turning point came in high school when she was given a solo in a school play. She discovered her voice had something special.

After high school, she tried various education paths, but it wasn’t until she was accepted into a musical theatre program in Viborg that she found her footing. There, she met Mariann—an older student who became a mentor and used Laura as a vocal student in her teaching at the conservatory.

Though unsuccessful in applying to acting schools, Laura, with Mariann’s help, gained admission to the conservatory. There, she learned that talent alone isn’t enough—discipline, understanding, and deep focus matter just as much.

Today, Laura is one of Denmark’s most promising young sopranos. With support from the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, she plans to pursue further studies abroad, refining her technique and artistic identity under some of Europe’s finest teachers, with an international career in sight.

The post Ex-addict wins national singing award appeared first on Slippedisc.

Previous Article

Rattle gives prize money to period instrument ensemble

Next Article

Neumeier’s ballet company spirals into chaos

You might be interested in …

Swedish flute, RIP

Swedish flute, RIP

The death has been made known of Clas Pehrsson, a pioneer of flute repertoire on both baroque and modern instruments. He was 83. Many of his recordings are to be found on BIS. He was […]

Joseph Phibbs, Quartets Nos. 2-4

Joseph Phibbs, Quartets Nos. 2-4

Entitled simply “Quartets,” this disc presents three of Joseph Phibbs‘ quartets, performed by the Piatti Quartet.The First (2014) is available on a Champs Hilll release, also by the Piatti Quartet, Albion Refracted, where it shares […]

Here’s  million. Now dance

Here’s $50 million. Now dance

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has received a $50 million gift from Lynne and Richard Pasculano, to be spent on contemporary dance. It’s the Lincoln Center’s biggest ever gift. But it’s by no […]