Lilian Weber Hansen

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.

With her powerful mezzo voice, she was selected to sing Gluck's Orpheus but it was not until 1948 that she achieved real success as Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlos when she was able to display her dramatic talents to great effect.

[1] As a result of her tuition under Labia, she went on to earn admiration for her interpretation of Amneris in Aïda although there were indications she should refrain from forcing the higher notes.

[2] From the early 1950s she was increasingly cast in comic parts such as Lady Billows in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring and Zita in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.

[1][5] 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.