On the 1 April 1537 archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson of Norway fled from Steinvikholm castle in the Trondheim fjord, leaving the holy shrine of St. Olav. Several years of disputes over the throne of Denmark and Norway combined with the general European religious conflicts, had pulled the archbishop in a power struggle he had lost. The fleeing archbishop marked the end of the Catholic Church in Norway. At the same time Norway became a part of Denmark.
For the 19th time the opera “Olav Engelbrektsson” about this historic events are played, by the ruin of the fortress where these events actually took place. The are many outdoor plays in Norway in the summer. This is one of my favorites.
I hadn’t been there for eight years when I was at the dress rehearsal a couple of days ago. It was magical again: the music (written by the composer Henning Sommerro), the soloists and the choir, costymes, the lighting and the natural light from a dramatic august night, and the fact that this is were it happened. And it is one of the largest outdoor performances in Northern Europe.
The noble woman, Fru Inger til Austrått (Maija Skille), was a mighty enemy of the last archbishop in Norway.
Wonderful!
This is absolutely awesome ! I truly love outdoor opera/plays and they are quite hard to find. I’ll definitely have to add this to my “to-visit” list. Thanks for sharing!
This is a wonderful set of images. It looks like it must have been a blast to photograph
Very beautiful, both the photos and the music.
What an amazing pageant. Great photos.
It’s a great fun event. You’re enjoying the high quality of life.
The outdoor is very cozy place.
I would love to see an outdoor production like this!
Wow! What an amazing performance. Thanks for sharing these wonderful images of this production. As you say, it looks great in this natural setting.
wow..it looks grand…great photos..
Now that’s something I’d sure enjoy seeing! A production like that in a setting that has that much history must be incredible!
A wonderful show, captured by a good woman photographer
It’s almost as if I were there, thank you!
Have a lovely sunday
Dina
Den där föreställningen skulle nog jag ha gillat, dina fotografier är lockande. Tja, Norge ligger ju lika làngt bort som Sverige för mig… Jag har mànga vänner fràn norra Norge… Den katolska kyrkan försvann ganska snabbt fràn Norden i allmänhet, fast jag blickar österut, hoppas fà göra en resa i Ryssland och fotografera ortodoxa kyrkor… Tack för ett fotografiskt och kulturellt utbyte!
Ha det bra
Oh, Bente, Magical. Gorgeous, Gorgeous photos. To sit in the outdoor theater where it all took place must have the spirits gathering. What a fabulous event. Of course being at the rehearsals gave you such a great opportunity to take those fabulous photos. I really, really enjoyed this.
Interesting post and great shots…
I am quite confident and quite pleased with that we norwegians and danes have a common history, which make us – although we love to tease each other – have an unbreakable relationship…
Others have said it, but I am going to say it again…. WOW! What an evening to remember and thanks for bringing the exprience to us
Wow! It looks fantastic. Amazing photos. TFS.
Regards Florence x
Ciao Bente, excellent documentary!
I love the lighting in this. It adds so much to the atmosphere. I can see why the show is so popular. Outstanding work, Bente.
Just Wow.
What à great and special event!
This looks fantastic, magical! I hope I’ll have a chance to see this live one day. How thrilling it must be.
Great captures Bente.
Wow….this looks awesome….how thrilling it would be to see this in person:)
Fantastiske bilder fra Steinvikholmen. Rett og slett veldig bra gjort.
Beautiful pictures! I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. If you don’t do stuff like that, that’s fine! It should be on my blog in a few minutes.
Very interesting to read a bit about the history of your country, although I just confess, I didn’t follow all the links. There are some healthproblems in the family and I have precious little time at the moment, but I plan on returning to this topic some time in the near future and learn some more about it all. The pictures are wonderful, as always.
Oh, I would like to see this!
This is really impresive!
So beautiful! The set is quite impressive. I’m sure you had a great time.
Wow! That must be so beautiful and special! Thanks for sharing Bente.
The first picture looks like a painting! Amazing dark photography (: Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Bente this is very cool. I think there is great energy in ‘reenactments’ or theater in a place where something actually happened. Gorgeous photos!
This is magnificent friend ! You’re absolutely a wonderful photographer! Alllll your pictures have a breath of life! Unbelievable beauty~ Deborah
Hi , I’ve just nominated you an award on mypost, http://nkin.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination/. Enjoy~
Your pictures are magical, Bente. Really capturing such a range of emotion and light. wonderful!
That must have been a wonderful performance, Bente. I love opera but here they are all inside. Must be a delight to see one outside.
Great photos too!
Ciao, Francina
That’s great! I have a friend who has been traveling to Norway frequently for business…. going to send this to him!
WOW! This is amazing stage, lights and decor and colours and night sky… I wished to be there. Thank you dear Bente, you did great shots… Love, nia
Reblogged this on photographyofnia and commented:
Great Opera Stage Shots!
The depth of drama here is brilliant!
wow! Fantastiska bilder! De får mig att längta dit, höra musiken, sången, se alla dessa människor som deltar! Tycker att du verkligen fått fram mycket med dina bilder. Och jag som är halvnorsk (svorsk) tycker att det är intressant även med historia.
Det finns ett utomhusskådespel när mig, i Helsingör, på kronborgs slott spelar man Hamlet, jag tror varje år. Jude Law var där nyligen och spelade. Har aldrig varit där.
Kramar och allt gott till dej!