She Risked Her Voice to Become a Mother

The podcast explores opera singer Lise Davidsen's journey navigating motherhood and her demanding career. Zachary Woolfe, a writer and former opera critic, discusses Davidsen's initial reluctance to have children, fearing it would compromise her voice and career. After meeting her partner Ben, Davidsen grappled with balancing her personal desires and professional obligations, including experiencing two miscarriages. The conversation highlights Davidsen's emotional struggles upon returning to singing after giving birth to twins, feeling torn between her children and her art. Ultimately, Davidsen found a renewed connection to her work through a new production of Tristan und Isolde, which incorporated themes of pregnancy and rebirth, mirroring her own experiences. Davidsen's future plans remain uncertain as she contemplates how to balance her career and family life.