Join us for a festive musical cruise through the canals of Copenhagen as this year’s Showboat sets out to identify a curious creature: the swan.
Showboat 2026: At Full Swan Volume
From ballet and opera to fairy tales, myth, and national romanticism, the swan has cast its spell on us for centuries. Elegant, temperamental, and often misunderstood, it is a creature that can break your arm without hesitation. And your heart.
A symbol of beauty and transformation, the swan has inspired artists to song, longing, and grand dramatic gestures through the ages. On board this year’s Showboat, we encounter it in its many shifting forms: the national bird, the dying swan of ballet, Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy-tale swan, Leda and the Swan, and of course the fiercely territorial bird with some rather questionable behavior.
The program moves from Tchaikovsky and Wagner to Schubert, with a few surprising turns into the worlds of musical theater and pop.
Live Opera under the Open Sky
All Showboat departures take place in an open boat, so please keep an eye on the weather forecast and dress for the day, whether that means warm layers, rainwear, or light summer clothing. If rain begins during the performance, the boat will move under one of the nearby bridges and continue the show from there. The performance is in Danish.
Meet the Team
Concept, Script, and Director: Simon Duus
Soloists: Elisabeth Rosenberg (soprano) and Gustav Wenzel Most (tenor)
Pianist: Charlotte Thaning
Production Manager: Jaqueline Lillevang
Illustration: Clara Dupré
Showboat is produced by Copenhagen Opera Festival in collaboration with Stromma Denmark.
