Danish mezzo-soprano Andrea Lykke stole the spotlight at The Aurora

At Sweden’s most exclusive summer gathering, The Aurora, few moments captivated the crowd quite like Vogue Scandinavia guest Andrea Lykke’s spellbinding performance at the black-tie gala, held on the first night of the weekend event. . The Danish vocal powerhouse, joining the proceedings in Båstad fresh from a trio of performances with musical legend Andrea Bocelli, commanded the stage with poise and quiet power – a moment that ended with a unstoppable standing ovation rippling across the audience.

For those who know the mezzo-soprano's story, this was a culmination of years of hard work. Adopted from Ethiopia at eight months old, Lykke grew up in the coastal town of Ringkøbing, Jutland. It was there, in the quiet corners of Denmark’s west coast, that she first discovered music, eventually honing a voice that would one day carry her across some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

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“Andrea arrived at The Aurora as this gentle presence during the day, but when she stepped onto that stage that evenings, she transformed,” says Vogue Scandinavia editor in chief Martina Bonnier. “Her voice filled the room in a way that was completely unexpected. You could feel everyone holding their breath.”

Lykk's career so far spans both stage and screen – or more accurately, sound booth. Over the past year, Lykke has lent her voice to two major roles: the Danish dub of Wicked, where she took on the powerhouse role of Elphaba, and Wish, Disney’s latest animated blockbuster, in which she voiced the lead character Asha. These roles required the same technical precision and emotional depth that her live performances demand, an artistry that was evident in every note of her Aurora set.

“Andrea has this incredible versatility,” Bonnier continues. “She can channel such deep, classical strength and then switch to playful, modern charm. That’s rare.” But it is perhaps her recent work with Andrea Bocelli that has most publicly cemented her star status. Performing alongside the legendary tenor in front of tens of thousands, she held her own with grace and power: a defining moment in her still-rising career.

And though her voice is what fills the room, her presence extends beyond sound. On stage, her styling – whether selected solo or with a stylist’s help – plays its part, offering an understated elegance that lets her voice take centre stage.

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With new music and further acting projects on the horizon, Lykke feels like one of the Nordic region’s most exciting rising stars. As Bonnier puts it, “You don’t forget a moment like that. I think we’ll be seeing her – and hearing her – for a long time to come.”