An Unforgettable Opera Celebration on the Twelfth Day of Christmas

During the Thirteen Days of Christmas, the Norrlandsoperan opens its doors for a dazzling, high-class opera gala featuring carefully selected highlights for both opera connoisseurs and newcomers. Swedish rising star Rebecka Wallroth makes her debut at the Norrlands Opera, and her male counterpart is tenor Per Lindström, a familiar face to the residents of Umeå.

The evening begins in thetrue spirit of La Scala, with the splendor of Italian music. Rebecka Wallroth sets the tone with the famous Rossini aria “Una voce poco fa” from *The Barber of Seville*, followed by the duet “Un soave non so che” from *Cinderella* by the same composer. Next, the program features another soprano piece from the bel canto repertoire, this time from Bellini’s opera *I Capuleti e i Montecchi*. The first set concludes in grand style with Per Lindström performing Puccini’s beloved tenor arias “E lucevan le stelle” from *Tosca* and “Che gelida manina” from *La Bohème*.

After intermission, we leave lovely Italy behind for an equally lovely—though more German- and French-influenced—second half of the concert. Wagner kicks things off with the overture to *Tannhäuser*, in which the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra gets a chance to shine especially brightly. Per Lindström follows with arias from Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* and Bizet’s *Carmen*. But more *Weltschmerz* is on the program: Rebecka Wallroth excels in a wistful aria from Massenet’s *Werther* before the evening takes a lighter turn. The program concludes with two operetta gems. There will be Wallroth-style beautiful singing from Johann Strauss’s *Die Fledermaus*, and as the icing on the cake, a sparkling duet from Lehár’s immortal *The Merry Widow*.

At the podium is German conductor Nikolas Nägele, who most recently guest-conducted in Umeå during the production of *The Italian Girl in Algiers*. The concert will be hosted by the multi-talented musician and actress Tina Ahlin.

Image: AI-generated/Midjourney