Samantha Hankey about pant roles, exploring relationships and evolving with opera

15. März 2024

Rubrik Magazin

In this international edition of Operaversum Magazine, let's celebrate the great world of opera, which reaches far across the Atlantic and produces great talent from the United States of America.

On the cover of this current interview edition, I am more than happy to introduce you to a very special talent: Mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey, whom I had the pleasure to see in Barry Kosky ´´s production of "Der Rosenkavalier" at the Bavarian State Opera a couple of years ago.

There Samantha Hankey played the role of Octavian, a pant role, which suited her just perfectly. Her voice, which shines like a fine instrument and produces warm golden depths, yet exudes an elegance that is truly noble and of touching beauty.

This unique beauty, coupled with a mysterious profundity, is also revealed once Samantha performs Lied, a genre that not everyone can present convincingly, as it requires above all verve, expression and personality: valuable attributes Samantha Hankey brings to life in all her interpretations.

Enjoy now this very personal interview with Samantha Hankey that gives profound insights into operatic life and also welcome six additional great artists who shared their stories of living the opera life with me: Jeanette Veccione-Donatti, Lisette Oropesa, Jonathan Tetelman, Amina Edris, Adela Zaharia and Olivia Kahler.

Have a good read and truly discover the magic of opera!

Yours truly,

Nicole Hacke

Chief Creative Editor