Lilian Weber Hansen

Lilian Oda Theodora Weber Hansen (1911–1987) was a Danish operatic mezzo-soprano who from 1940 sang at the Royal Danish Theatre for 25 years. She is remembered above all for her talents as a dramatic actress, especially towards the end of her stage career when she was able to give full weight to roles of elderly women. She was admired as Gluck's Orpheus, Verdi's Eboli in Don Carlos and Wagner's Ortud in Lohengrin. In a lighter vein, she was repeatedly successful as Lille Forglemmigej in Den gode fregat Pinafore.

Biography

Born on 27 January 1911 in Copenhagen, Lilian Weber Hansen was the daughter of Georg Richard Hansen (1880–1966) and Marry Vilhelmine Augusta née Jensen (1884–1964). In 1942, she married the French horn player Severin John Frans Ahlqvist (1907–1967). She received voice training from the Danish opera singer Valdemar Linke before entering the Royal Opera School.

Awards In 1950, Weber Hansen was honoured by King Frederik IX as a Royal Chamber Singer and in 1956 as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog. She received the award reserved for successful women, the Tagea Brandt Rejselegat in 1959.