First Faroese opera for Estonian audiences

10 September 2009 was a historical day when, for the first time ever, a Faroese opera was performed to Estonian audiences. The performance was the result of an intensive project with participants from Estonia, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

“The Madman’s Garden is a tremendously exciting opera and I am glad that the Estonian audiences have a chance to see it. It is a modern opera, but both its music and dramaturgy contains also classical elements. A traditional opera which is abreast with the times”, says project coordinator Greta Kobi.

The opera performance is based on a script by Faroese writer William Heinesen and music by Faroese composer Sunleif Rasmussen. The director is Estonian Veronika Portsmuth and the performers come from all the three participating countries. The songs are performed partly in Faroese and partly in Estonian.

The process of realising the project has in itself been quite an experience for the young artists. The participants didn’t know each other beforehand, but five months of intensive cooperation has brought them close.

“The cultural differences have without doubt enriched the project. The artists have learned from one another and discovered new synergies. They will definitely continue to work together in the future as well”, says Kobi.

The production of the Estonian version of The Madman’s Garden was supported from the module for activities aimed at production and communication of the Art and Culture Programme. The project also included a series of lectures on Nordic opera given at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

The Madman’s Garden was performed at the Nordic Art Festival in Tallinn on 10 – 12 September 2008.

www.nordart.ee