+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Interview"
date = "2018-12-30T15:42:28+00:00"
disclaimer = ""
image_gallery = []
preamble = "Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek is currently in London, in rehearsals for Tchaikovsky's [_The Queen of Spades_](https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-queen-of-spades-by-stefan-herheim), going up on 13 January at Covent Garden. The production by Stefan Herheim,co-produced by the ROH and Dutch National Opera, will be broadcast live in cinemas on 22 January (encored on 27 January).\n\nWestbroek, famed for leave-it-all-on-the-stage roles like Minnie (_La fanciulla del West_), Sieglinde (_Die Walküre_), and Katerina (_Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk_), spoke with us about great London audiences and her love of animals."
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1546184839/media/2018/12/sqEvaMariaWestbroek-pc-FazilBerisha.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "Fazil Berisha."
related_articles = ["articles/talking-with-singers-melody-moore.md", "articles/talking-with-singers-keri-alkema.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/royal-opera-house.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/evamaria-westbroek.md"]
short_description = "\"The audiences in Covent Garden are just unbelievable, so generous and warm! I am so grateful for this and absolutely love singing here.\""
slug = "talking-with-singers-eva-maria-westbroek"
title = "Talking with singers: Eva-Maria Westbroek"
youtube_url = ""

+++
### Why do you sing professionally?

I feel the luckiest person in the world to sing and be surrounded by music and inspiring people, and to make a living on top of that!

### What kind of woman is Liza in _The Queen of Spades_?

I think Liza is a very romantic young woman. Escaping her life is extremely courageous in those times. She is deeply passionate and can only follow her heart. I love her very much!

<figure data-type="image">  
{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1546185293/media/2018/12/8859-118TheQueenofSpadesatDutchNationalOpera-pc-KarlandMonikaForster.jpg)  
{{% /md %}}  
<figcaption>A scene from <em>The Queen of Spades</em>, Dutch National Opera. Photo: Karl and Monika Forster.</figcaption></figure>

### What do you find is unique about the audiences at Covent Garden?

The audiences in Covent Garden are just unbelievable, so generous and warm! I am so grateful for this and absolutely love singing here.

### How do you stay healthy and sane while traveling for work?

It's not always easy. When possible I travel with my dog. My beautiful dog Ruby sadly passed away this summer. We now have a new puppy. Having a dog makes you go out all the time, meet very different people and dogs give so much love and joy and put you with your feet on the ground.

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1546184809/media/2018/12/Eva2-pc-FazilBerisha.jpg){{% /md %}}<figcaption>Photo: Fazil Berisha.</figcaption></figure>

### What do you know about the singing career that you wish you knew 10 years ago?

That’s a hard question! I think, just to be true to yourself and enjoy!

### If you didn't sing for a living, what do you think you would do instead?

I think I would have liked to work with animals! Maybe a dog trainer or something with horses - although I only just started riding!

> _The Queen of Spades_ runs at The Royal Opera House 13 January to 1 February. For details and ticket information, [click here](https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-queen-of-spades-by-stefan-herheim).