Anne-Sofie von Otter
(c) Mats Bäcker
During its 2017–2018 season the Finnish National Opera will stage the world premiere of a new Finnish opera, Höstsonaten – Autumn Sonata, on the 8th of September 2017. The opera brings together a story by cinema legend Ingmar Bergman, the music of Sebastian Fagerlund and the voice of one of today’s most highly-esteemed mezzo-sopranos, Anne Sofie von Otter.
“This opera, commissioned from me by the Finnish National Opera, is a multi-layered and powerful relationship drama,” says composer Sebastian Fagerlund who is currently the focus of increasing international attention. Höstsonaten is Fagerlund’s second opera.
The libretto of the opera, based on Bergman’s film script, has been written by Gunilla Hemming. In the story a famed pianist, Charlotte Andergast, visits her daughter after a long absence. The family conflicts are revealed little by little. The role of Charlotte, specially composed for Anne Sofie von Otter, is the world-renowned star’s first opera role on the FNO stage.
The production is directed by Stéphane Braunschweig from France and conducted by John Storgards who returns to lead the FNO Orchestra after a break of nearly 11 years. Besides von Otter, the opera is starred by Erika Sunnegardh, Helena Juntunen, Tommi Hakala and Nicholas Söderlund.
