Travel Tip: Opera in Denmark
Dancer in the Dark

Poul Ruders: Dancer in the Dark
Libretto: Henrik Engelbrecht
Sung in English with Danish supertitles

Lars von Trier’s film, winner of the 2000 Golden Palm in Cannes, has served as inspiration for the Danish composer Poul Ruders’ new opera on a libretto by Henrik Engelbrecht. The opera focuses on Selma, a woman who chooses to sacrifice her own life to get her son a vital eye operation. The opera raises questions about crime and punishment and what rights we have to make choices on the behalf of others. Sculptor Christian Lemmerz has created a gothic set design for this staging by Artistic Director, Kasper Holten.

Michael Schønwandt, conductor
Costumes: Maria Gyllenhoff
Lighting Design: Jesper Kongshaug

Cast

Ylva Kihlberg, Selma
Palle Knudsen, Bill
Hanne Fischer, Kathy
Guido Paevatalu, Norman/Guard 2
Ulla Kudsk Jensen, Brenda
Gert Henning-Jensen, District Attorney/Guard 1
Carl Philip Levin, Gene
Nickolas Alexander Due Feit, Gene

The Royal Danish Orchestra