Le Grand Macabre at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

György Ligeti's opera Le grand macabre portrays a society on the brink of an apocalypse. The story, taken from Michel de Ghelderode's play of the same name, is inspired by a surrealistic, absurd theatre tradition based on a physical performance style the aim of which is to shake the spectator out of a false theatre illusion and challenge the audience's preconceived perceptions of what theatre can be. The mood of the piece swings between the humorous and the burlesque, the grotesque and the lyrical, in a musical language that both mock and insist on the opera's conventions. The music alternates between references to well-known opera composers, brutal grandiose tones and beautiful melancholic harmonies, before it goes from being an apocalyptic nightmare to conclude by giving new life.

Le grand macabre, the only opera that Ligeti composed, is considered one of the most important operas of the 20th century. Its premiere in Norway will be a version by La Fura dels Baus, a performance art ensemble from Spain known for its imaginative productions, original stage effects and extensive use of video.

This is a co-production with Théâtre Royale de la Monnaie in Brussels, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, English National Opera in London and Teatro dell'Opera in Rome. In cooperation with Oslo's Ultima contemporary music festival.