Cover art by production designer Hans Petter Harboe

Johan Kvandal and Knut Hamsun. Drawing by Ulf Aas.

 Mysteries (Mysterier)
Opera in three acts, opus 75 by Johan Kvandal

Short introduction
Mysteries is based on the novel with the same name by Knut Hamsun. It was commissioned by The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet and world premiered on 15 January 1994. The music received excellent reviews.
Main newspaper headlines such as Hamsun would have been proud and Opera success for Mysteries reflect the work as one of relatively few Norwegian operatic successes of all time. Go to Articles to read reviews.

Media clips
"Johan Kvandal's genial music makes the scenic almost superfluous and Nagel's spiritual experiences are given a musical expression that measures up to Hamsun" (Klassekampen)

"Opera success for Mysteries" (Aftenposten)

"Johan Kvandal has enriched Norwegian opera literature with an important work" (VG)

"Kvandal greeted with ovations on the world premiere of his first opera!" (Drammens Tidende

International caliber
In 1996 the opera was selected by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to be broadcast to all European countries. Mysteries was chosen ahead of 94 other new, international operas, which is a tremendous recognition of the opera music's international caliber.

The mysteries in Mysteries
The opera Mysteries is based on the intense novel written by Norwegian author Knut Hamsun in 1892, and is often referred to as the first Modernist novel in world literature.

The eccentric stranger Johan Nilsen Nagel arrives in a small Norwegian coastal town. Dressed in a stinging yellow suit, he sets out to stir up the local bourgeoisie with his bewildering behavior, disturbing disclosures and feverish visions. It is revealed that Nagel used to live like a vagabond around the world, yet he surprisingly turns out to be a violin virtuoso.

Mysteries is in many ways the life story of the dreamer and philosopher Johan Nilsen Nagel - "a stranger, a foreigner of existence, God's fixed idea". Mysteries also surround the other main characters.

The curious inhabitants and colourful figures in the small town all have something to hide: The young beauty Dagny, the anxious and warmhearted Martha and the sly, secretive Minutten. Do they carry something with them that has happened before the story starts? The mysteries in Mysteries are interpreted musically and provide an intriguing gateway to one the most fascinating dramas in modern literature.

 

    Facts on the 1994 production
  • ■ Conductor: Kjell Ingebretsen
  • ■ Libretto: Barhold Halle (German translation available)
  • ■ Director: Barthold Halle
  • ■ Production designer: Hans Petter Harboe
  • ■ Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • ■ Publisher: Johan Kvandal


Photo: Erik Berg/ The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet

 Soloists:

Johan Nielsen Nagel:
Trond Halstein Moe - Baryton

Dagny Kielland:
Ragnhild Heiland Sørensen -  Soprano

Johannes Grøgaard (Minutten):
Arild Helleland - Tenor

Marta Gude:
Frøydis Klausberger - Mezzo soprano

The hotel host:
Stein -Arild Thorsen - Bass

The chief constable:
Terje Stensvold - Baryton

Other parts:

Doctor Stenersen, Mrs Stenersen, the hotel maid Sara, the city residents, miss Andresen, the teacher.


Norwegian National Opera Choir
 

The Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

 

 

  

 

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