Operahistorien på 60 minutter (hvis vi rekker det)

We have picked out all the opera treats, and created a performance that will make YOU love opera. Maybe you'll pick up some new opera fun-facts, if you're already an opera nerd?

Opera history in 60 minutes (if we can make it) is a humorous performance that covers the entire history of opera in 60 minutes. With the performance, we want to show that the opera form embraces much more than just Carmen and O mio babbino caro, and that the art form of opera in every way is still highly relevant. By performing highlights from the entire history of opera, we invite the audience to experience opera at its best, in an informal and humorous setting.

The performance takes the audience on a journey from Monteverdi in the 17th century to famous composers such as Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and today's current Henning Sommero. The opera genre is shown at its best, and the performers take the music very seriously, even if the performance is full of humour. The audience is guided with the help of a narrator's voice that puts everything in a historical perspective, and with seamless transitions the whole thing is stitched together with a humorous tone. The singers share the role of narrator along the way, and with a tight time schedule, many of the musical excerpts are presented in short excerpts or snippets, while other highlights are presented in their entirety.

The 60-minute opera story is directed by Bjørn Sæter and tailored for the inexperienced audience - although it is also suitable for those more interested in opera. With beautiful costumes and simple scenography, opera history is presented in an easy-to-understand way, with no other aids than a grand piano.

Fortunately, the uniqueness of acoustic opera singing can also be experienced in a shorter and more accessible format than long opera performances with expensive tickets!

Opera long live!

Lasts for about 75 minutes.

We have an open bar from 19:00

The culture room is also open.

The opera story in 60 minutes - if we can make it was one of the highlights during this year's Operafestuker in Kristiansund. Four actors in great form entertained the audience with lots of humor and top quality, and they managed the whole opera story in 60 minutes too. Recommended!

Britt Westavik, producer at the Opera in Kristiansund

The opera story in 60 minutes (if we can make it), is a fantastic performance with lots of humour, fun facts and beautiful singing. The 4 soloists and the pianist have a nice chemistry on stage and are also very skilled in their field. Highly recommended, and it's a great show for organizers to start with to cultivate an opera audience in their city.

Lene Lauvdal, cultural consultant at Buen Kulturhus

The production "The History of the Opera in 60 minutes" is and was an informal and humorous performance, full of goodies, and covered the vast majority of opera history - a genre that can appear comical, filled with clichés and made for sarcasm. In other words, a gift package for four talented singers and a pianist with a clever concept - nevertheless made with an intelligent slant and great love. And in a fine balance between humour, coordinated interaction and impressive vocal performances. Therefore, the hour or so was tailor-made for the inexperienced audience. And an absolute pleasure for those who just love opera.

Jan Westby, Forward newspaper

About us:

Director: Bjørn Sæter
Pianist: Stefan Ibsen Zlatanos

Hanne Korsbrekke Askeland (soprano)
Sara Aasen (soprano)
Dagfinn Andersen (baritone)
Knut Kristian Mohn (tenor)

Bjørn Sæter is an experienced theater director. He has also directed several musicals, including the critically acclaimed Les Misérables at Trøndelag Teater (2006), as well as the opera The Magic Flute for Opera Sør (2012).

Stefan Ibsen Zlatanos has his education from the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Hans Eisler Hochschule für Musik Berlin.

The four singers are all educated from, among others, the Opera Academy, and have broad experience in music and performing arts.