6th June

Concert will begin at 17:00 hours GMT

Rebroadcast: Hallström's 'The Vikings' with Almgren, Martinpelto, Lind and Persson from Gothenburg

Hallström's 'Vikingarna' is an opera to a libretto by Frans Hedberg. The story takes place in Provence, where the Viking Rolf arrives with his fiancée Astrid and friend Björn. Rolf develops a fascination with Isaura, the daughter of a Count. The theme is the distinction between the north and the south, personified in these two women. Astrid is depicted as cool and blond, sweet and faithful, while Isaura has a southern passion, impulsive in her nature. But this distinction is also related to the environment in general: the Provençal court with its refined culture is musically opposed to the simple and straight-forward, but unsophisticated Vikings.

Performers: Raimond: Mats Almgren. Isaura: Hillevi Martinpelto. Rolf Vidfarle: Tomas Lind. Björn: Mats Persson. Astrid: Ann-Kristin. Jones Bertha: Mia Karlsson. An abbot: Peter Loguin. A troubadour: Markus Pettersson. Courtier: Henrik Andersson. Bard: Daniel Hällström. Viking: Olof Söderberg. An older viking: Sven Törnell.

Gothenburg Opera Choir and Orchestra. Conductor: Tommy Andersson.

Recorded in 2017.