Talks and musical tastings

Director Franciska Éry and Norrlandsoperan’s chief conductor, Eduardo Strausser, invite you to an in-depth introduction to The Mistresses — indie queen Jenny Wilson’s first opera, based on Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek’s novel of the same name — which will have its world premiere on Norrlandsoperan’s Main Stage on March 8 and run through March 29, 2025.

Opera Director Dan Turdén will lead a discussion with members of the artistic team about the work on the production. The discussion will be conducted partly in English.

Musical excerpts featuring singers from the opera will be performed with piano accompaniment by Jonas Olsson throughout the evening.

A warm welcome!

The Mistresses, March 8–29

On Longing in a Patriarchal World. World premiere of indie queen Jenny Wilson’s first opera, based on Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek’s breakthrough novel, directed by Franciska Éry.

Brigitte wants to be happy; Paula wants to be happy. Paula wants to be a seamstress; Brigitte already is one. She wants Heinz. Paula wants Erich. Both want children and financial stability. And they use their wit, their charm, and their bodies to win the men’s favor. But all bodies age.

In this new opera by Jenny Wilson, based on Elfriede Jelinek’s breakthrough novel from 1975, a painful question is brought to a head: How can women find happiness in a world where their success depends on men and the money they earn?

Just in time for the Norrlandsoperan’s 50th anniversary, they are setting out to bring this gripping story to life using all the tools of opera—without paying the slightest attention to its rules and conventions.