A selection of opera

Since 2007, NEO has formed the core ensemble for Piteå Chamber Opera, which is the only opera organization of its kind in the country.

Piteå Chamber Opera stages 1-2 productions each year and tours extensively throughout northern Sweden. In order to rejuvenate the artform, the company has a mandate to regularly commission new works, as well as stage the most significant contemporary chamber operas in the repertoire.

Piteå Chamber Opera seeks new avenues of expression, incorporating new techniques in stage, video and multimedia design, as well as exploring new collaborations with some of the most interesting artists of our time.

Diptych

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There is music that concerns moving, to end up somewhere else. Two such pieces are Arnold Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire and Salvatore Sciarrino's Infinto Nero, both were written for soloist and chamber ensemble. Both these works also depict life on the night side in a strangely evocative and mesmerizing way. It is music full shadow movements and dream moods. In neither of these pieces, is the vocal soloist meant to sing the "usual" way, but rather to approach the material as if it belonged to an alternative sound purview. The song lets the unknown sound worlds of the night intervene. There are both thrilling sounds and tones that are so quiet that you can barely hear them.

That this particular performance with Norrbotten NEO will be an extraordinary experience is guaranteed by two exceptional soloists: Sofia Jernberg and Monica Danielsson. Both are distinctive voice virtuosi but also adventurous-minded. Sofia Jernberg who is soloist in Pierrot Lunaire has her roots in the free improvisational music. Sofia was rewarded in 2008 with the Royal Academy's jazz award. While Monica Danielson, who appears in the Sciarrino piece, has been praised for her achievements in pieces of Daniel Börtz, Peter Maxwell Davies and Henry Purcell.

Music by Arnold Schoenberg and Salvatore Sciarrino

Director and swedish translation: Monica Danielsson

Conductor: Petter Sunkvist

Adaptation and new dialouge: Monica Danielsson

Singers: Sofia Jernberg and Monica Danielsson

Stage and stagelight design: Svante Grogarn

Costume: Ina Andersson

Orchestra: Norrbotten NEO

The Noseflute

”Either a masterpiece or an artistic endeavour of uncalculated immensity...or perhaps it is somewhere in between that art is created”

- Zeke Bupp ViT

In a fictive European country, a fictive minister of culture is searching for the Culture which has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Through board meetings via noseflutes and ethnic minorities the minister of culture with the common touch ends up - well, where? Take a journey with the Minister of Culture in this modern rescue opera with singing ministers and humming press officers - a unique experience is guaranteed, with a really funny, up tempo opera!

The composer Fredrik Österling and the librettist Magnus Lindman have scanned the history of opera, and clear references to artists such as Rossini, Offenbach, Wagner and Mozart are part of this modern opera. It revolves around the highly topical question; what is culture? Where is the difference between culture and art? And - the biggest question of all - who will pay for it?
The performance is a co-production between Vadstena Academy and Piteå Chamber Orchestra.

Music by Fredrik Österling.

Libretto by Magnus Lindman.
Director: Stina Ancker
Conductor: Petter Sundkvist.
Singers: Ulrika Tenstam, mezzo soprano, Frida Jansson, soprano, Maria Matyazova, soprano, Carl Ackerfeldt, baritone, Tor Lind, baritone Andreas Olsson, baritone.

Orchestra: Norrbotten NEO

The Crystal Cabinet

- a chamber opera about a drastic solution to the Earth's environmental problems

”None by traveling over known lands can find out the unknown. So from already acquired knowledge Man can not acquire more”

- William Blake

There are increasingly alarming reports and even more alarming predictions concerning the state of our planet. Piteå Chamber Opera's newest commission, chronicles a few remaining human beings' struggle to escape the impending climactic doom.

Based on the works of William Blake, the great British 18th century visionary poet and visual artist, Carl Unander-Scharin offers a unique interpretation of the UN doomsday reports and Al Gore's account on humanity's planetary neglect.

Composer, Carl Unander-Scharin and Director, Keith Turnbull have jointly written the libretto. Together with Choreographer, Åsa Unander-Scharin and Danish-French video artist team, Lene Juhl and Mark Viktov, they have created a technically innovative musical fairytale that touches on the most poignant prophecy of our time.

”Man's desires are limited by his perceptions. None can desire what he has not perceived”

- William Blake

The cast of five performers features prominent Swedish singers, Kristina Hansson, Soprano, Johan Christensson, Tenor, and John Erik Eleby, Bass, as well as dancers, Claudine Ulrich and Jan Vesala. Conductor is Mats Rondin and the 9 member orchestra features Norrbotten Neo.

Performances are in English with Swedish surtitles.