Who is Rebecca Lang?
Rebecca Lang is an international opera conductor, pianist, educator, and vocal coach. She is the Director of Music at the Leuphana University in Lüneburg in northern Germany.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Nothing!
Who inspires you and why?
Colleagues who share my passion for excellence, detail, collaboration, and fun.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think this should be ‘what am I doing to make a difference?’ – I am all about empowering women in the arts. I actively create positions and opportunities for female colleagues, both artistic and managerial. The road to the best positions in our industry should not be as difficult for the next generations of women as it has been for mine.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Paris – I could walk those streets for days.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We have a wonderful Kneipe [pub] in Lüneburg called Mälzer where they brew their own beer!
What are you currently reading?
Puccini – His Life and Works by Julian Budden.
What are you currently listening to?
Maria Callas with di Stefano and de Sabata – nothing beats Callas.
Happiness is?
Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore Art & Love. Also those moments when I catch myself being wunschlos glücklich [happy without desire], like when you notice that the weather is gorgeous and you’re appropriately dressed, or the river is beautiful, or you have the perfect amount of sugar in your coffee.
What does the future hold for you?
After premiering TOSCA with West Australian Opera and WASO, I will embark upon Cameron Menzies’ new production of Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA with Northern Ireland Opera in Belfast.
Rebecca makes her West Australian Opera debut conducting Queensland Opera’s production of Puccini’s TOSCA – which will be presented at His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth: 14 – 23 July 2022. For more information, visit: www.waopera.asn.au for details.
Image: Rebecca Lang – photo by Detlef Eden