Vattnäs Concert Barn - Song Festival

Premiere 11 July and plays 13, 17, 19 July
Finally Monteverdi in Vattnäs Konsertlada!

In the summer of 2025, we will encounter a decadent Roman society full of selfish, unscrupulous and cynical people in Vattnäs Konsertlada. In Claudio Monteverdi's incomparable opera The Coronation of Poppea from 1642, no high ideals prevail and there are no moral pointers. There is irony and schadenfreude, we will see examples of cruel ruling techniques and drastic comedy, but also tragic fates, true love and sorrow. We will experience a living, bustling Rome and music that drives the drama across all borders.

The opera is performed in a new translation by Anna Larsson (who also translated Lepidoptera and Orpheus and Eurydice), costume design by Gabriella Wetter Burman (who did the costume design for Lepidoptera), set design by Anna Larsson and Göran Eliasson and direction by Anna Larsson.

On July 11, 2025, this Venetian masterpiece will premiere with a singing group consisting of many of the country's most prominent singers in the roles.

As the ambitious and opportunistic Poppea, we will experience two world-class sopranos, Norwegian opera star Anne Wik Lindelöf and the acclaimed young Julia Lindgren from Gothenburg, who in 2024 received both the prestigious Paskell Scholarship and the Confidence Scholarship. Emperor Nero is performed by Göran Eliasson and Ottavia by court singer Anna Larsson, the bass role of Seneca is performed by the noted and praised shooting star from Luleå, Kristoffer Töyrä, who recently received the Mogren Prize, the nurse Arnalta by the fantastic tenor and Jussi Björling scholarship holder Tobias Westman who will perform several roles at the Gothenburg Opera in 2024-25 and Tamino in The Magic Flute at the Gothenburg Opera in 2025. Ottone is the countertenor Magnus Karlberg who had great success as both Blind and Frog in The Little Red Riding Hood in Vattnäs. Ottavia's confidante, Nutrice, is performed by Carolina Bengtsdotter Ljung who often appears with Dalasinfoniettan and has performed a number of roles in Vattnäs Konsertlada. In addition, some of the most interesting singers of the young generation are participating, the sopranos Karin Mobacke who is now participating in the Folkoperan talent program and will be the first lady in The Magic Flute there this spring and Alva Olsson, a finalist in the Stenhammar competition this spring and recipient of a number of major scholarships, and the mezzo-soprano Lovisa Huledal who is now doing Mercedes in Carmen at the Royal Opera in Stockholm and in our second lady in The Magic Flute at the Folkoperan and Tolomeo in Giulio Cesare at the Royal Opera's Young Opera at the Opera. In addition, we will experience Agnes Auer as Drusilla who has sung a number of roles at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, most recently appearing as Rosa in Mats Larsson's Gothe's Löftet. Marcus Bartoletti is participating as Mercurio and Littore, he will be doing Marcello in Boheme at the Norrlandsoperan next year and Clifford Lewis who is doing the first soldier with us and Liberto doing Rodolpho in the same production.

It is a little extra fun that a fine tenor from Mora is making his Swedish opera debut with us this summer! Henrik Frost will be performing as Andre soldat and Liberto. Henrik is currently studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and did a well-received tour of Sweden with Schumann's Dichterliebe this summer. Wonderful to see him on our stage!

The orchestra consists of some of our best young musicians in music from around 1600 under the direction of the prominent lutenist John Martling.

Musical direction, lute John Martling
Orchestra Vattnäs Baroque Orchestra
Direction, translation and concept Anna Larsson
Scenography Anna Larsson and Göran Eliasson
Costume design Gabriella Wetter Burman
Lighting design Jimmy Svensson
Poppea Anne Wik Lindelöf and Julia Lindgren
Emperor Nero Göran Eliasson
Ottavia Anna Larsson
Ottone Magnus Karlberg
Drusilla Agnes Auer
Seneca Kristoffer Töyrä
Arnalta Tobias Westman
Amor Alva Olsson
Fortuna, Damigella Karin Mobacke
Virtu, Valetto Lovisa Huledal
Nutrice Carolina Bengtsdotter Ljung
First soldier and Lucano Clifford Lewis
Second soldier and Liberto Henrik Frost
Mercurio and Littore Marcus Bartoletti

BAROCKN'ROLL
Effervescent festive baroque concert with singers and musicians in a baroque mood July 18 6:00 PM
Welcome to a concert with music by various composers from the 15th, 16th and 18th centuries. Several fantastic musicians and singers are participating in this music festival. A baroque mood and a sumptuous program are promised!

Chamber music concert on a summer night July 16th 6:00 PM
A finely tuned chamber music concert with a lineup of fantastic musicians and singers. Beautiful songs, soloists in different constellations and atmospheric music on a summer night. An evening that can offer surprises both indoors and outdoors!