The opening event of Opera in Hof.

In the same year that Iceland’s national poet, Jónas Hallgrímsson, wrote his poem about the “Star of Love over Hraundrangar,” Richard Wagner composed an opera aria dedicated to the “Evening Star” further south in Europe. Could it have been the very same twinkling star in the night sky that inspired them both?

This accessible and uplifting musical programme traces the history of opera, from the Renaissance to the present day, taking us from the royal courts of Italy to the shores of Iceland.

An exceptional ensemble of artists combines entertainment and insight while performing some of the most beautiful gems in the history of opera.

Performing are Kristín Einarsdóttir Mäntylä, soprano; Hildigunnur Einarsdóttir, mezzo-soprano; Gunnar Björn Jónsson, tenor; Kristján Ingi Jóhannesson, baritone; the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra; the Akureyri Church Choir; the Northern Chamber Choir; and acclaimed actors Örn Árnason and Ólafía Hrönn Jónsdóttir.

The script and direction are by Ólafur Egill Egilsson, while Opera’s musical director, Richard Schwennicke, conducts the orchestra.

The opening event takes place on 18 October at Hof, in collaboration with the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra. The programme will also be performed in Eskifjörður, Skálholt and Reykjanesbær, and later at the National Theatre of Iceland.