23/04/2026
As Katerina Mina - Soprano steps into the role of Brünnhilde in Opera Forge’s inaugural production of Wagner’s Die Walküre, she takes on one of opera’s most demanding and transformative heroines — a role that calls for exceptional vocal power, dramatic depth, and endurance.
In this personal reflection, Katerina shares the realities of preparing this monumental Wagnerian journey, shaped in part by her recent work with legendary dramatic soprano Susan Bullock.
“There are operatic roles, and then there are life-altering journeys. Brünnhilde in Wagner’s Die Walküre firmly belongs to the latter.
Over the past weeks, I have completed an intense block of lessons and coaching sessions with the legendary British dramatic soprano Susan Bullock, who’s own Brünnhilde remains one of her most iconic interpretations. Working with a singer who has inhabited this role at the highest level, is both humbling and electrifying for me. Susan brings not only vocal technical mastery but a deep, lived understanding of Wagner’s world: of how Brünnhilde thinks, breathes, fights, loves, and ultimately transforms!
Vocally, Brünnhilde requires sustained power, flexibility, and careful pacing across long, demanding scenes, and across the full vocal range of the dramatic soprano. Physically, the role calls for strength, grounding, and stamina. Added to this is Wagner’s highly charged German text, which must be mastered with absolute clarity and intention.
But Die Walküre is not only sung; it is physically inhabited. Brünnhilde is a warrior, a daughter of the gods, constantly in motion, emotionally and dramatically charged. Training for this role involves thinking like an athlete as much as a musician: grounding, breath coordination, posture, and resilience. The body must support the voice over long stretches of intense music without collapse.
Crucially, learning the role of Brünnhilde means understanding the entire drama, especially her relationship with Wotan, her father, whose conflict lies at the heart of Die Walküre. Their exchanges form the emotional and philosophical core of Die Walküre. To sing Brünnhilde truthfully, one must understand Wotan’s conflict, his power, his fear, and his heartbreak. Every phrase Brünnhilde sings is a reaction to his authority, his disappointment, his love… Knowing his text as thoroughly as my own, is essential.
Brünnhilde represents courage, moral awakening, and ultimately compassion. To begin walking her path is a privilege—and standing at the start of this journey fills me with excitement, determination, and deep gratitude.
The fire has been lit” - Katerina Mina
If you haven’t booked your tickets yet for Wagner’s Die Walküre, semi-staged by Wagnerian legend Sir John Tomlinson, with Kelvin Lim conducting Orpheus Sinfonia, this is your chance to do so! 🙂
🎟️ 22 NOV & 6 DEC 2026, at 3:30pm
Follow the link below 👇 and the QR code on our flyer to book your tickets!
https://www.ram.ac.uk/whats-on/opera-forge-presents-wagners-die-walküre
🔥 Welcome to Opera Forge 🔥
www.operaforge.com
Photo credit: Jedrek Koh
