New Tannhäuser in Bjørvika, Oslo

(courtesy for photos Den Norske Opera og Ballett)

Brilliant way of recreating Wagner's grand opera placing it in a Salvation army context. This is actualizing the opera from the old themes of whore and madonna, pleasure and sin, to also questions of being seduced and staged - even by the heavenly forces.. Salvation army leaders and followers - singing for the good for others - become seduced by own fundamentalism, rituals, and double morality. Doubt about what is the right way remains a recurrent theme throughout this opera. The intricate play of seduction is helped by comedian elements.
Stefan Herheim and his team give us highly scenic and fun qualities showing glimpses of opera history in the opening scenes and of heavenly forces in the final ones.

Brief interview with Stefan Herheim, the director here:

http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/203381/

Key info (in Norwegian):

Opera av Richard Wagner, premiere Den Norske Opera og Ballett 6. mars.

Regi: Stefan Herheim,

scenografi/kostymedesign: Heike Scheele,

dramaturgi Alexander Meier-Dörzenbach

Roller premiere: Tannhäuser: Gary Lehman, Elisabeth: Elisabet Strid, Venus: Judit Németh, Hermann, landgreve av Thüringen: Magne Fremmerlid , Wolfram von Eschenbach: Geert Smits

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I want to add that I really enjoyed the eminent Swedish singer Elisabet Strid as Elisabet!