TV Standard: NTSC
Color: Colour

Credits:

Dionysos Now!

Description:

Gerda and Kai are listening to the story of "The Snow Queen" told by their grandmother. That night, when the Snow Queen appears at the window of Kai's room, he is unable to sleep after going to bed, and he fears and fights. Kai's heart leaves Gerda, and one day Kai is taken away by the Snow Queen. Gerda sets out on a difficult journey alone to rescue Kai, but... This is the first opera "The Snow Queen" by Hans Abrahamsen, a contemporary composer from Denmark. Abrahamsen says that the musical expression of snow, a perennial theme of his, motivated him to write this opera. The opera, based on Andersen's fairy tale "The Snow Queen," was written and composed between 2014-18 and had its world premiere in Copenhagen in October 2019 (Danish version). At the same time, an English language version of the script was commissioned to British writer Amanda Holden to feature Barbara Hannigan in the opera.The English version was performed at the Bavarian State Opera in December, two months after the Copenhagen premiere, to great acclaim, with Hannigan singing the leading role of Gerda with an excellent balance of intelligence and emotion. Also to be heard are the talented up-and-coming soprano Rachel Wilson in the role of Kai, as well as veteran singers Peter Rose and Katharina Dalaiman, who provide the supporting cast. Furthermore, Abrahamsen's exquisite music performed by the Bavarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus, led by Cornelius Meister, harmonizes beautifully with the fantastically developed stage scenes directed by Kriegenburg. Naxos Japan