Matthias Goerne, Matilda Sterby, Christopher Maltman & Elisabet Strid Lead 2026 Birgit Nilsson Festival
By Francisco SalazarThe Birgit Nilsson Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here is the a look at the vocal performances.
Opera singer and actor Richard Hamrin, together with pianist Eric Skarby, takes the audience on a personal journey through the life and music of this magnificent and controversial prima donna.
Performance Date: August 3, 2026
Two of Sweden’s most beloved opera stars invite you to a magical evening in the courtyard of Birgit Nilsson’s family home. Rickard Söderberg and Malena Ernman perform alongside Johan Morge-Reis.
Performance Date: August 4, 2026
“The Little Dutchman” will be a playfully interactive children’s and family performance, featuring music from Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman.” Anders Lorentzon, Gisela Stille, Henning von Schulman, Anelia Kadieva Jonsson, and Lisa Sjöberg star.
Performance Date: August 5, 2026
Matthias Goerne and Alexander Schmalcz will perform in recital.
Performance Date: August 5, 2026
The Birgit Nilsson Stipendium in 2024 Matilda Sterby will sing a recital with pianist Matti Hirvonen in songs by, among others, Schubert, Sibelius, and Nystroem’s “Songs by the Sea.”
Performance Date: August 6, 2026
Luthando Qave receives this year’s Birgit Nilsson Stipendium of SEK 250,000, supporting his continued artistic development. The winner will give a recital that will be recorded by Swedish Radio P2 for later broadcast.
Performance Date: August 7, 2026
The season ends with Wagner’s “Der Fligende Hollander” featuring Christopher Maltman, Elisabet Strid, Günther Groissböck, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, and Katarina Dalayman. Henrik Nánási conducts the production by Staffan Valdemar Holm.
Performance Date: August 8, 2026
The season will also include talks, and masterclasses.
