Hamlet Opera Studio

Advanced training for emerging professional opera singers
13 september - 4 october, 2026

APPLY HERE!

Hamlet Opera Studio, based in Helsingør/ Elsinore, Denmark, is an intensive post-graduate programme designed for singers who have completed or are nearing the end of higher music education and are preparing for a professional career.

The programme responds to a clear need for deeper artistic development and individual mentoring beyond formal studies. Participants work closely with an internationally experienced faculty in a focused and supportive environment.

HAMLET OPERA STUDIO is an international opera studio based in Hamlet’s city, Helsingør – a place where art, history, and performing arts meet in unique surroundings.

Structure

The programme is organised in modules (approx. 3 weeks - one month each), typically in autumn and spring. Each module combines individual coaching, group sessions, and workshops.

The training includes, among other things:

  • vocal technique and vocal development

  • analysis, dramaturgy, and musical interpretation

  • stage work and acting training

  • working with coaches and a conductor

  • improvisation and artistic presence

  • work with the body’s energy, freedom, and expression

In addition, workshops in entrepreneurship and career development are offered in collaboration with Freelance-Akademiet, where participants gain practical tools for navigating the professional arts world. Topics include:

  • career building

  • PR and marketing

  • fundraising and project development

  • working with agents and networking

  • developing independent artistic projects

HAMLET OPERA STUDIO combines masterclasses, where artistic experiences and processes are shared collectively, with individual coaching and personal guidance. Teaching is led by internationally experienced pedagogues, coaches, and performing artists with extensive expertise in opera, music, and theatre.

The aim is to strengthen each artist’s personal expression, artistic identity, and professional sustainability – thereby creating a strong foundation for an international career in opera and classical music.

Who Should Apply

  • Graduate and post-graduate singers and pianists

  • Emerging professionals seeking to establish a career in opera

  • Artists looking for advanced coaching and artistic refinement

Location & Collaboration

Hamlet Opera Studio takes place in Helsingør in collaboration with leading cultural institutions in Denmark and the Øresund region.

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Dates: 13 September – 4 October 2026
Fee: DKK 20,000
Application deadline: Saturday, 1 August 2026 at 24:00

An exclusive 3-week programme for ambitious, professionally trained opera singers at HamletScenen – set in the unique surroundings of Hamlet’s world in Helsingør.

“If you want to elevate your voice, your stage presence and your artistic confidence – this is where you begin.”
— Gitta-Maria Sjöberg, Artistic Director & Producer

COACHES

Apply for Hamlet Opera Studio here!

Application deadline: Friday, 1 August 2026 at 24:00

COACHES 2026

  • Eva Aalbæk is a choreographer, dancer, and performance artist with extensive experience in movement-based artistic practice and education. She teaches contemporary dance, creative movement, and body awareness, helping performers develop physical expression, presence, and confidence on stage.

    In addition to her work as a performer and teacher, Aalbæk is an accomplished writer and lecturer. She has collaborated on and contributed to a wide range of performances and exhibitions, both in Denmark and internationally, including projects in London, Paris, and New York.

    Since 2008, she has maintained a private practice as a shock and trauma therapist, integrating her knowledge of movement, bodywork, and personal development into her work with artists and performers.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Eva Aalbæk works with singers on physical expression, movement, and stage presence, helping them develop greater artistic freedom, confidence, and authenticity in performance.

Dance, Physiodrama, Yoga, Massage, Personal Coaching

Eva Aalbæk-Nielsen

Gitta-Maria Sjöberg

Artistic Director, Producer, Soprano, Vocal Coach

  • Gitta-Maria Sjöberg is an internationally acclaimed soprano and former principal artist of the Royal Danish Theatre, where she performed for more than 40 years.

    A highly sought-after singer and pedagogue, she regularly gives masterclasses around the world and serves on the faculty of the Malmö Academy of Music. Throughout her distinguished career, she has performed leading roles at many of the world's foremost opera houses and concert venues, appearing in numerous productions, recordings, and broadcasts for CD, DVD, and television.

    Her artistic achievements have been recognized with a wide range of awards and distinctions, and she is a frequent jury member for international vocal competitions and arts foundations. She is Honorary Chair of the Birgit Nilsson Society, Chair of the Elsinore Song Factory and Nordic Song Festival, Art. Dir. of the Lundsgaard Operafestival.

    A co-founder of Hamlet Opera Studio, Gitta-Maria serves as Artistic Director. Through the programme, she is dedicated to sharing her expertise, international network, and artistic experience while supporting and inspiring the next generation of opera singers.

Photo: Mathias Bojesen

Hanne Jørna

  • Hanne Jørna — Biography

    Trained actor from the National School of Theatre (The Danish National School of Performing Arts). Study period in Italy with Dario Fo and Franca Rame. Employed at various theatres as an actor. Has served on the staff of the National Theatre School as a drama teacher and acting head of the actor department, taught at the acting school at Aarhus Theatre, and since 1999 has been employed at the Opera Academy as an improvisation teacher.

    Workshop outline for participants:

    • Introduction to improvisation exercises based on Keith Johnstone’s improv techniques.

    • Practical improvisation tasks designed to free personal energy, develop imagination and powers of observation, and cultivate the joy of collaborating in larger or smaller groups.

    Teaching takes place in a lively — at times serious — atmosphere in which everyone, regardless of experience, should leave feeling uplifted and inspired.

pedagog -  improvisation workshop

  • Jakob Hultberg is a Swedish conductor and educator, holding a diploma from the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

    He has worked extensively throughout Sweden and Denmark, conducting opera, symphonic repertoire, and contemporary music. His collaborations include leading institutions such as the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, Gothenburg Opera, Malmö Opera, and the Royal Swedish Opera. His repertoire spans works by composers including Wagner, Verdi, and Tchaikovsky, as well as contemporary productions and world premieres.

    A former House Conductor at Malmö Opera, Hultberg is also recognized for his commitment to music education and audience development. He has created and led a range of innovative programmes for young audiences, combining the traditions of classical music with contemporary artistic approaches.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Jakob Hultberg shares his expertise in musical interpretation, ensemble work, and operatic performance, helping young singers develop the artistic and musical skills required for a professional career.

Photo: Søren Kaas Classon

Conductor

Jakob Hultberg

Lisbeth Rysgaard - Freelanceakademiet

Actor and Coach

Photo: Linda Hansen

  • Freelance Akademiet supports artists and creative professionals in building sustainable and independent careers.

    Founded by Lisbeth Rysgaard and Gerda Hempel, the academy draws on more than 22 years of experience in workshops, coaching, and professional development for artists, entrepreneurs, and creative practitioners. Their work encompasses career planning, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and fundraising, helping creatives navigate the challenges of working in the cultural sector.

    Since 2021, Freelance Akademiet has delivered programmes and consultancy services for a wide range of Danish artistic and academic institutions, as well as individual artists and authors.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Freelance Akademiet provides guidance on career development and professional sustainability, equipping young artists with the tools needed to build and maintain a successful career in the performing arts.

Mark Pinzow

International coach

  • Mark Pinzow has been coaching singers in opera houses in Copenhagen, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Vienna, Paris, Seoul and many others for the past 50 years. He has been teaching in Montreal, Germany, San Francisco, Italy and the Czech Republic for over 60 years. He presently works at the 5 opera houses in Prague and Brno.

  • Mats Knutsson, international coach Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1968, Mats Knutsson studied in Vienna and Munich before completing his training as a répétiteur at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. He subsequently continued his studies at the Opera Academy in Copenhagen. From 2000 to 2009, Knutsson served as a répétiteur at the Royal Danish Theatre. He then joined the Opera Academy in Copenhagen, where he was Head of Studies and later Artistic Director from 2009 to 2019. Since 2019, he has been Head of Studies at the Vienna State Opera and Artistic Director of its Opera Studio programme. Throughout his career, Knutsson has been a member of the musical staff at some of Europe’s leading opera and festival institutions, including the Bayreuth Festival, the Salzburg Festival, the Ruhrtriennale, and Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. A highly sought-after coach and accompanist, he has participated in numerous masterclasses and collaborated with many of the opera world’s most distinguished artists, among them Birgit Nilsson, Nicolai Gedda, Ileana Cotrubaș, Christa Ludwig, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brigitte Fassbaender, and Ernst Haefliger. Since 2022, he has also served as a répétiteur at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. 

International coach

Mats Knutsson

Matti Borg

Composer, Vocal Coach

  • Matti Borg (b. 1956) is a distinguished composer, bass-baritone, and vocal coach. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and pursued further studies in London and Sweden.

    An experienced educator and performer, he has worked extensively with singers, actors, instrumentalists, and ensembles, and has led masterclasses throughout the Nordic countries. His artistic work spans vocal and choral music, orchestral and chamber music, theatre music, musicals, and works for children.

    Borg's compositions are performed internationally and have been featured in concerts, theatre productions, radio, and television broadcasts. Combining a lifelong career as both composer and singer with a deep commitment to artistic development, he brings a unique perspective to the training of young performers.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Matti Borg shares his extensive experience in vocal technique, musical interpretation, and artistic expression, helping young singers develop the skills and confidence needed for a professional operatic career.

Mattias Branner

Pianist

  • Mattias Branner is a Danish pianist based in Helsingør, Danmark and is recognized as one of the most promising collaborative pianists of his generation. He graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen in 2023 with a specialization in accompaniment and chamber music. As a versatile musician, Branner is active across a wide range of artistic settings, from traditional concert performances to innovative interdisciplinary projects. Alongside a broad classical repertoire, he is particularly noted for his work in free improvisation and his ability to bridge classical traditions with contemporary artistic expression. A dedicated collaborative pianist, he works closely with singers and instrumentalists, bringing both musical sensitivity and artistic insight to his performances. His experience spans concerts, opera productions, coaching environments, and chamber music collaborations throughout Denmark. Branner has appeared at venues and institutions including Hedeland Opera, MGK Hovedstaden, Opera på Elværket, the Royal Danish Academy of Music and Danish Radio (DR). In 2021, he was awarded First Prize at the Copenhagen Lied Duo Competition and has received numerous grants and scholarships in recognition of his artistic achievements. At Hamlet Opera Studio, he contributes his expertise as a collaborative pianist, supporting young singers in the development of their musical and artistic potential.

    photo: Mona Eendra

  • Mette Borg holds a Master's degree in Theatre Studies and has spent much of her career working at the intersection of theatre, music, and education. She has taught dramaturgy and cultural history at the Danish National School of Performing Arts and has also served as a lecturer in cultural and opera history at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

    As a dramaturg and director, Borg has worked extensively with opera productions and educational programmes, including projects at the Opera Academy in Copenhagen. She is also an active consultant and coach for professional actors, singers, and instrumentalists, and regularly teaches in masterclasses and professional development programmes.

    Her dramaturgical work includes productions of both classical and contemporary repertoire, ranging from Clara Schumann to Carmen and beyond. In addition to her artistic work, she is the author of several books and articles on theatre, dramaturgy, and performance practice, including publications on the renowned theatre director Herman Bang.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Mette Borg guides singers in dramaturgy, text interpretation, and artistic storytelling, helping them deepen their understanding of character, narrative, and dramatic expression in opera performance.

Mette Borg

  • Polina Fradkina is a Russian-born pianist based in Denmark and is widely recognized as one of the leading musicians of her generation. She studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, and has performed as a soloist at international festivals, concert venues, and in film productions. In addition to her performing career, Polina is a highly regarded vocal coach and répétiteur, working with singers and pianists at institutions such as the Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Malmö Academy of Music. She has collaborated with many distinguished musicians and is passionate about exploring new ways of interpreting and communicating classical music. With her extensive experience and artistic vision, Polina is dedicated to making Hamlet Opera Studio a platform for musical growth and innovation, where young talents can develop their artistic voice and explore the world of opera in a creative and inspiring environment.

Dramaturg, Director and Lecturer

Polina Fradkina

Thomas Bang

  • Thomas Bang is a Danish actor and director, trained at the State Theatre School in Odense.

    Throughout his career, he has appeared in a wide range of productions on many of Copenhagen’s leading stages, as well as in film and musical theatre. His work spans spoken theatre, opera-related productions, recitals, and large-scale classical concerts, where he brings a strong focus on dramatic storytelling and stage presence.

    Bang has been a permanent member of the ensembles at both Aarhus Theatre and Aalborg Theatre and has extensive experience working with performers across a variety of genres and artistic disciplines.

    At Hamlet Opera Studio, Thomas Bang guides singers in exploring Shakespeare’s texts through analysis and dramatic interpretation, helping them develop a compelling and authentic stage presence.

Actor and director

Henning Silberg

  • Henning Silberg, mangeårig taleunderviser på bl.a. Den Danske Scenekunstskole:

    De sidste par år har jeg fulgt familien Borgs Sang Masterclass i Helsingør.

    Omkring de unge sangere skabes et levende, respektfuldt og inspirerende rum, hvor det kunstneriske uden pres kan udfolde sig.

Language Coach