(Photo: © Royal Swedish Opera) On March 29, the Royal Swedish Opera performed Wagner’s second opera, “Die Walküre,” from the four-opera epic, “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” Mixing interiors, epochs, and styles, the evening’s production featured (surprisingly sterile) 16th to 17th century Medieval great hall interiors for the first half and 18th to 19th century French fine art lined salon-meets 18th {…}
(Photo credit: Sarah Cooper) The Royal Swedish Opera is set to present the new opera by Britta Byström and Rawdna Carita Eira, “Eatnama váibmu.” The story of “Eatnama váibmu” (“The Heart of the Earth”) is based on the Sámi creation story with its current theme of good and evil, and interaction with nature. The cast features Katarina Leoson, Jan Jakub {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera and the National Property Board of Sweden (SFV) announced a historic joint renovation plan for the Opera House. The renovation plan includes an extension of approximately 2,300 square meters, allowing all artistic activities to stay under the same roof, as well as three new functional ballet rehearsal rooms, improved acoustics in the auditorium, and increased accessibility. {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera Chorus has posthumously bestowed the Choir Prize to Michael Cavanagh. The award was announced during the company’s performance of “Sweeney Todd” on Dec. 13, 2024. “For his extraordinary ability to recognize and use the expressive capacity of the individual chorus member in directing large chorus scenes, in for example Nixon in China and Sweeney Todd, Michael {…}
(Photo credit: Markus Gårder) The Royal Swedish Opera has announced Gasometer will be its stage while the opera house’s renovations take place. The unique gas clock in Stockholm is currently being constructed into a stage space for opera, ballet, and classical music. Gasometer is housed in a former industrial building in the Norra Djurgårdsstaden, a part of Stockholm which has {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera has been fined 3 million kronor, the equivalent of $300,000, following the death of a stage technician who fell around 13 meters from a balcony as he was carrying out work in the opera house. The AP News is reporting that the company had been investigated and Prosecutor Jennie Nordin said the death could have been {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera is set to world premiere “Melancolia” on Oct. 21, 2023. The opera, based on Lars von Trier’s famed film, is composed by Mikael Karlsson and written by Royce Vabrek. It stars Lauren Snouffer, Rihab Chaieb, Anne Sofie von Otter, Jens Persson Hertzman, Ola Eliasson, Johan Edholm, and Mikael Stenbeck. Andrea Molina conducts. Sláva Daubnerová directs. “‘Melancholia’s’ music is {…}
UPDATE: The Royal Swedish Opera will remain closed until Oct. 2 due to the accident that is currently being investigated. The Royal Swedish Opera has canceled further performances due to a tragic accident. In a statement the company said, “due to a tragic accident, the Royal Swedish Opera cancels all performances and activities until and including Friday, September 29. All {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera’s 250th anniversary season will continue this September with a production of “Elektra.” The opera, which runs through Oct. 16, 2023, will be presented in a production by Staffan Valdemar Holm, who previously directed the award-winning production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen” with the company. Bente Lykke Møller will provide set and costume design as well as {…}
(Credit: Markus Gårder ) This review is for the performance on August 28, 2023. “Madama Butterfly” is one of opera’s most renowned and controversial stories. On one hand you have the tale of a young woman waiting endlessly for the man she loves, only to discover that she’s been lied to for the past three years, a fact that the {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera is set to hold a New Year’s Eve concert featuring conductor Vincenzo Milletarì. The conductor will join forces with the soloists of the Royal Swedish Opera including Miriam Treichl, Daniel Johansson, Vivianne Holmberg, and Håkan Ekenäs. The performance will also feature graduating students from the opera program at Stockholm University of Dramatic Arts. The festive program {…}
