Inspiring Women Magazine November 2023

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A Love of Opera Sparks
Local Passion
Elizabeth Reifke, AWC Hamburg, educates local members on upcoming
opera productions, sharing her passion and making opera accessible
to everyone.
Igrew up in the Philadelphia area in
a small town close to the big city.
I’ve always preferred to live in places
like that, which provide a quieter living
environment, but are just a short drive away
from more urban culture and action. From the
start I have always loved languages as well as
music – what I lacked in talent, I made up for
with enthusiasm. This has never changed! An
exchange summer in French-speaking Belgium
taught me a great deal about living abroad and
life in other countries. As it turned out, this was
the perfect preparation for my later life here
in Europe.
I received my bachelor’s degree and planned
to continue my studies, but challenging health
problems throughout my 20s jettisoned my
intended career path, leaving my direction in
life wide open. I explored different directions,
including teaching and web design, for several
years until I wound up making the big move
to Germany. Along the way, I decided to learn
some Italian, which led me to Italian opera
and my first proper visits to the opera house.
So I discovered the world of opera rather late
in my life, but there’s been no looking back
since then!
I met and married my Hamburg-born and
bred, husband back in 2000, and
Elizabeth Reifke
we decided to try living together in
Germany for a while before making
our ultimate decision about where
Hamburg is a
to settle down. After 20+ years, we rather rainy place
are still here with the fine addition to live, but the
of two nearly grown-up sons. weather is always
great at the opera
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