The first ride is free

This is Norrlandsoperan’s largest international co-production to date, with an artistic team and an ensemble of absolute top class.

Grammy-nominated composer Missy Mazzoli has written the opera together with her recurring partner, Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Royce Vavrek. An unbridled and gripping story of relief and addiction, realized on stage by director Tom Morris and Leah Hausman.

A mysterious man arrives in town with a stable of beautiful carousel horses. Riding them makes all the pain disappear. The town’s doctor, Theresa Hart, senses something is wrong, but doesn’t want to deny her patients help. The first ride is free. Getting off is all the harder.

The opera is based on a story by author Karen Russell, inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story A Doctor in the Country. The Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences finances Norrlandsoperan’s part in the production, which has made it possible to collaborate with Swedish research on ethical grey areas in the pharmaceutical industry. The work is also linked to the authors’ own experiences of the opioid crisis in the United States.

On stage, we meet some of the world’s brightest opera stars: mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack and baritone Justin Austin from the United States, soprano Susan Bullock from Great Britain and Swedish-Norwegian soprano Sandra Bendrik. The symphony orchestra is led by the internationally sought-after conductor Jessica Cottis.

The Galloping Cure had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival on 9 August and the Nordic premiere will be at Norrlandsoperan on 12 September. Only five public performances will be given in Umeå before production continues to San Francisco Opera, Canadian Opera Company and State Opera of South Australia.

The Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences – RJ Art and Culture – has made possible Norrlandsoperan’s part in the production of The Galloping Cure, as well as the collaboration with Professors Mats G. Hansson (Uppsala University) and Susanne Lundin (Lund University), both of whom have contributed their knowledge to the artistic process. RJ Art and Culture aims to make the humanities and social sciences accessible to a wider audience.

What the reviewers thought

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“One of the greatest operas of the century”
The Times

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“A defining opera of our time”
The Telegraph

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“It’s a work of enormous passion and conviction, delivered with power and insight.”
The Scotsman

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“The dreamlike quality of an opioid high”
Financial Times

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“Tackling the opioid crisis with bite and black comedy”
The Guardian

Hotel Offer

Visiting from out of town? Here you’ll find great deals on accommodations in connection with our performances. Stay in style, enjoy great food, and wake up well-rested before heading home!

Three-Course Opera Menu

Complete your evening with a three-course opera menu at Nova’s basket.

Performance Lecture: Dilemmas and Tragedies in Healthcare Grey Areas

Meet the prominent scientists who have influenced the opera The Galloping Cure in a popular science lecture with a musical setting, which is offered on two occasions.