FULL Aniara (Blomdahl) Sweden 1960 Söderström Hallin Saeden
Popular Singers in this Opera Recording
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Aniara
- Composer: Blomdahl Karl Birger
- Libretto: Harry Martinson Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Swedish TV-Studio
- Recorded: 1960
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Margareta Hallin, Elisabeth Söderström, Erik Saeden, Arne Tyren, Sven Erik Vikström, Arne Ohlson, Bo Lundborg, Olle Sivall, Ragnar Ulfung
- Conductor: Sixten Ehrling
- Orchestra: Kungliga Hovkapellet
- Chorus: Operakören
- Chorus Master: Arne Sunnegardh
- Ballet: Operabaletten
- Choreographer: Birgit Akesson, Kaare Gundersen
- Stage Director: Arne Arnbom
- Stage Designer: Nils Stenwall
- Costume Designer: Nils Stenwall
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Sveriges Radio och Television SVT
- Date Published: 1960
- Format: Broadcast
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Synopsis
Controlled by the computer Mima, the space ship Aniara leaves the poisoned Earth, heading for Mars. Through Mimaroben, who is the operator of Mima, the emigrants learn of the evil of mankind.
During the celebration of midsummer, the vessel is thrown off course, causing panic, and forcing a journey to the constellation Lyra which commander Chefone says will last for the rest of the lives of the crew and passengers. When the Earth is destroyed, Mima cannot continue, and Sandon makes jokes about the safety on board, but when the mute describes in signs the end of the world he becomes silent. Chefone blames Mimaroben, who, with the pilot Isagel, is taken away.
The commander deals as best he can with the increased despair and moral deterioration among those aboard, depicted in a scene in a hall of mirrors, where Daisy Dodd, her lesbian partner, and the passengers dance, and the blind poetess speaks of her cult of Light, which has replaced Mima. The body of the dead chief technician is shot into outer space in the direction of the star Rigel. The 20th anniversary of the voyage is celebrated, and the blind poetess ecstatically sees the city of heaven, but is taken away.
The final scene shows the last night onboard where Isagel dances and the blind poetess sings of the joy of death. A light beam sweeps over the dead passengers and Mimaroben prepares for the end. Finally darkness descends over the occupants of the space ship, and the audience in the theatre.