Alan Gilbert is set to lead a new production of Wagner’s “Die Walküre” at the Royal Swedish Opera on Nov. 20, 2021.

The showcase, which represents Gilbert’s first stage production as the company’s Music Director, will be staged by Staffan Valdemar Holm. Audiences will hear Ingela Brimberg and Iréne Theorin alternating in the role of Brünnhilde with Cornelia Beskow as Sieglinde, Katarina Dalayman as Fricka, and Greer Grimsley as Wotan.

“I could not be more excited to be back in the pit of the Royal Swedish Opera. Our cast is excellent – really first class! It is a special joy to be working on this Wagner masterpiece in this very telling staging by Staffan. Wagner has long been a favorite in Stockholm and a specialty of Royal Swedish Opera, and this is a powerful production,” Gilbert stated in an official press statement. “I have known this piece a long time but have not conducted it in its entirety. The more I get into it, the more I realize there is not one dead moment in it. There are tricky parts to work through, as there is a great deal of narrative and text to convey, but Wagner’s psychological understanding is so acute and nuanced – assuming the audience understands the text, there really is not one boring moment in the opera. Wow, what a great work!”

While he performed with the organization throughout the COVID-19 shutdown throughout 2020, this series of performances are Gilbert’s first live performances with the company in two years.

“Die Walküre” runs for six total performances between Nov. 20, 2021 and Jan. 15, 2022.