In a few weeks, the old opera house at Gustav Adolfs Torg will close for a five-year renovation costing 3.25 billion kronor. The opera is now preparing to move to Stockholm's new cultural venue, Gasometer, in Ferdinand Boberg's old gas holder, which will accommodate an audience of more than 1,500 people.
“And then everyone will hear and see well,” promises Fredrik Lindgren.
Didn't give up
The Royal Ballet will inaugurate the stage on April 9 with the world premiere of Alexander Ekman's "Lustra".
“It took time to convince him to create a full-length work,” says ballet director Anders Hellström, who didn't give up, however.
In a pre-recorded video, Alexander Ekman explains that he has tried to translate sex into something poetic.
“I think it will be a little rawer now, and I think I'm a little less afraid of perhaps exploring a little darker sides. I also want to stay away from clichéd sex references,” he says.
Studies show that young people are having less sex than before, Alexander Ekman notes, pointing out that we may have learned how to be desirable but not how to see each other.
The first opera premiere of the spring will be “Requiem” - a multi-arts work featuring 150 singers, dancers and musicians who, under the direction of Örjan Andersson, will take on Verdi’s dramatic work about death and resurrection. “A maximum experience to carry with you for the rest of your life,” according to Örjan Andersson’s own description.
Visiting all municipalities
The Young Opera will inaugurate its new stage at the Museum of Performing Arts, next door to Dramaten in Stockholm, on February 13 with the dance tale “Who’s there?”. During the five-year renovation exile, the Young Opera will also visit all of Sweden’s 290 municipalities, promises its director, Ellen Lamm. The initiative is financed by a donation and will, in most cases, involve visits by the Young Opera’s educators, who will lead workshops and try-on activities for children.
“We will travel to about 20 locations with a performance.
We will go everywhere. As far as I know, this has never happened before,” says Ellen Lamm.
What do you think?