My name is Hans Lawaetz and I'm 1st bass in DRKK born 1958
I was educated at the conservatories in Odense and Aarhus with Ulrik Cold and Peer Birch... Studies in Amsterdam, Rome and New York.
Employed in the choir of the Danish National Opera from 1981-93, first as an assistant, permanent member from 1986.
I was a member of the then Choir 50 at DR for a good year in 1989-90.
In 1993 I joined the Royal Opera Choir, but retired in 2013 when the choir was downsized from 60 to 40 members, although I am still an assistant in the Opera Choir (this season in La Fanciulla and Otello).
Soloist roles at The Royal Danish Opera, The Royal Theatre, The Other Opera, The New Opera, Guidoperaen etc. I have sung most of the oratorio repertoire as a soloist. (including with all regional orchestras).
I am proud and happy that I joined the DR Concert Choir in 2016.
I still sing as a bass soloist in an occasional mass and also sing in the Nordic Singers, where the repertoire ranges from opera to musicals, Dean Martin and Queen to sketches.
I find it really fun to move into other genres in my older years, but I still love being in a great Wagner opera, especially The Ring. One of the most difficult opera choruses I've been in is the second act of la Boheme, which in my eyes and ears is probably the best opera in the world (not counting Wagner's universe).
My name is Benedikte Pontoppidan Thyssen
Born in 1987
I started my violin journey at the Suzuki Institute in Aarhus, then I attended MGK and then the conservatory in Copenhagen. I have been around almost all Danish orchestras and learnt to play orchestra in the Royal Danish Orchestra, both as a casual employee and on contract
I started competing in the symphony orchestra at the age of 28.
Outside DR, I play in my piano trio Trio Copenhagen. And then I've been
church singer for many years, but I'm not anymore.
Any awards and honours?
I have been awarded several prizes: Øresund Soloist, Berlingske, Conservatory Chamber Music Competition, Jacob Gade. Employed as a soloist in Malmö Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Chapel.
I like all music, but Mahler and Strauss have a special place in my heart.
The hardest thing I've ever played/sung? Die Frau ohne Schatten and everything by Thomas Adés