Ulla Winblad, nymph and sex symbol in Bellman's Epistles but also an active person in 18th century tavern life. Klas Östergren has written the libretto and Andrea Tarrodi has composed the music for the performance about her, which is presented as "an opera cabaret".
Actors Björn Kjellman and Hanna Dorsin play the roles of the older Carl Michael Bellman and Ulla Winblad, respectively, but do not sing opera.
We will get some jazzier stuff, says Hanna Dorsin.
The story is about how Bellman, towards the end of his life, wants to reconcile with Ulla Winblad, or Maja-Stina Kjellström as she was actually called. Ulla Winblad was a name she took for herself. Through Bellman's music and fiction, she became celebrated but also notorious during her time.
She was very hurt by it and wanted redress. Towards the end of his life he sought her out to ask for forgiveness, she said no until she finally said yes, says Hanna Dorsin.
She is not at all “like a shepherdess.” She is an ordinary girl who wants to be left alone.
The story is also a story about being a woman in the 18th century, says Björn Kjellman.
This is a new focus, he says.
The performance will premiere on September 17, 2026 as part of the Folkoperan's 50th anniversary. Nora Nilsson will direct and the ensemble also includes opera singers such as Tessan-Maria Lehmussaari and Wiktor Sundqvist.
