Katherina Sandmeier in costume as Helmwige during Wagner’s Die Walküre

Photo © Bayerische Staatsoper / LinkedIn (2023)

From Helmwige to Gala: Katherina Sandmeier’s Wagner Ace

Alex Pikiakos

In March 2024, Katherina Sandmeier made her major operatic debut at the Greek National Opera, performing the role of Helmwige in Wagner’s Die Walküre—the first-ever staging of the work by that company. As one of the Valkyries, she delivered vocal brilliance and dramatic intensity, in a co-production with the Royal Danish Opera, directed by John Fulljames and led by conductor Roland Kluttig.

Helmwige is a demanding dramatic soprano role requiring both power and agility; Sandmeier’s performance impressed critics for balancing heroic presence with lyrical refinement. Sharing the stage with international stars such as Stefan Vinke and Catherine Foster, she contributed memorable color and strength to the ensemble of Valkyries. This milestone role marks Sandmeier’s emergence as a serious Wagnerian soprano—and it sets the stage beautifully for her upcoming Gala recital at Syros.

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