Are you in the mood for "Carmen" this summer? Or do you perhaps prefer a newly written opera? Whatever your taste, there is a large and varied selection of summer operas for those who want to listen to sweet music.
“Fidelio”, the only opera Beethoven wrote, is being performed at Läckö Castle, where the castle itself is part of the performance, as a prison. The plot revolves around the heroic Leonore, who, when her beloved Florentino is thrown into prison, decides to save him at all costs. Disguised as a man, Fidelio, she sets out to do so.
As a portrait of a woman, it is unique in opera, with a strong and independent heroine who actually does not have to die at the end, says Frida Engström.
Courage and companionship
"Fidelio", premiering July 10, is about civil courage and the little person's choice to act, about complicity and narcissists and the corrupt power's panicky fear of outspokenness.
It can be related to the news we see every day, and in that way it is completely timely, she says.
It is also an opera that does not need to be modernized to feel very current, according to Frida Engström.
It is one of the most contemporary operas you can perform.
"Carmen" in Österlen
Another summer tip is “Carmen” at the Drakamöllan festival in Österlen – an erotic and ruthless Carmen with Don Juan features is promised. The performance will be given on July 18th.
However, those who yearn for newly written works will not be left without a chance. "Anders and Emma Zorn" is mezzo-soprano Pers Anna Larsson's debut as a librettist, and her opera about the successful artistic couple will be staged in Vattnäs barn in Dalarna, with its premiere on July 10.
In another newly written work, "Ellen Key – the Snake Slayer", at Vadstena Academy, the audience will meet both people who lived in real life and snakes, talking books and flowers. The premiere will take place on July 23.
10/7–1/8 “Fidelio” at Läckö Castle in Västergötland. The baroque gem by Lake Vänern is transformed into a prison.
10/7–25/7 “Anders and Emma Zorn” in Vattnäs concert barn in Dalarna.
18/7 "Carmen" at the Drakamöllan festival in Österlen.
23/7–10/8 "Ellen Key – The Snake Slayer", opera about the author and feminist at Vadstena Academy.
25/7–23/8 “La Bohème”. Opera at Skäret in Kopparberg.
30/7–16/8 “La Liberazione” at Confidencen at Ulriksdal Castle. A life-like horse ballet is promised as well as sea monsters, sirens and water nymphs in a new version of Francesca Caccini's opera from 1625.
1/8–15/8 “The Coronation of Poppea” at Drottningholm Palace Theatre.
4/8 "Tosca" at Dalhalla in Rättvik. The Stockholm Folk Opera is a guest performer in the limestone quarry with Puccini's classic.
21/8–23/8 “Queen Kristina” at Varbergs Teater. Opera Warberg's collaboration with Wermland Early Music. The controversial and versatile regent would have turned 400 this year. It is celebrated with a world premiere of music taken directly from Queen Kristina's life.
