Royal Swedish Opera: Mikael Karlsson: Melancholia

Lars von Trier's film adapted for the stage: World Premiere at the Royal Swedish Opera

"The coolest opera in a very long time”, Expressen

The iconic director Lars von Trier’s apocalyptic “Melancholia” took the world by storm in 2011. Composer Mikael Karlsson – known to the audiences for his music to Alexander Ekman ballets such as “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hammer” – has now made a full-length opera based on the drama art film.

The librettist is Royce Vavrek, who also wrote the libretto for the operatic version of von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves”. The soloists include the soprano Lauren Snouffer – a virtuoso performer of both baroque opera and contemporary music – as Justine, Metropolitan Opera’s young rising star Rihab Chaieb as Claire, and Anne Sofie von Otter as the ice-cold mother Gaby.

The world premiere on the Royal Swedish Opera took place on 21 October 2023. The programme is now in postproduction and will be soon available for distribution.
Synopsis: At her wedding reception, the beautiful but depressed Justine spots a red star in the sky. It is the planet Melancholia, which is on a collision course with Earth. The bridegroom Michael tries to calm her down with his love, her mother Gaby poisons her with her darkness, and her sister Claire attempts to rescue her with her solicitude. But no-one can stop the mysterious forces ignited within Justine. And Melancholia gets closer and closer…

Genre Opera
Recording location Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm
Recording date 30.10. & 2.11.2023
Production Company EuroArts Music
Co-Production Company Royal Opera House
Assoc. Prod. Company Les Films Figures Libres, Mezzo
TV Director Andreas Morell
Distribution TV EuroArts Music
Distribution VOD / SVOD EuroArts Music
English title of music work Mikael Karlsson: Melancholia
Libretto Royce Vavrek
Orchestra / Band Royal Swedish Orchestra
Conductor Andrea Molino
Choir Royal Swedish Opera Chorus
Soloist Lauren Snouffer, Rihab Chaieb, Anne Sofie von Otter, Jens Persson Hertzman, Ola Eliasson, Johan Edholm
Stage Director Sláva Daubnerová