Sofia
Jernberg

A brand new project, evolving over two years, by Sofia Jernberg, Ariadne Greif and Louise Beck, starting off with Phase I at Ultima this year and concluding with Phase II at the festival’s September 2021 edition. Phase I consists of two pieces forming a whole staged concert:

In Dreams Of Our Future, composer and vocalist Sofia Jernberg (Fire! Orchestra, Paavo) pours a succession of dreams, written down by Oslo’s children, into lyrics. The children themselves will sing these songs together as a choir, accompanied by music from a who’s who of the Scandinavian improvisation scene in a staged setting.

Bird Party is a video work by New York based soprano Ariadne Greif and director of photography Caroline Mariko Stucky ponder everything that might be different in the future; all the changes and unexpected, beautiful things that may be on the horizon. In New York, the eerie quiet of lockdown brought explosions of birdsong that engulfed ambulance sirens. The most glorious spring arrived just as things became confusing. American police brutality still exists, revolution came, racial legislation is changing, while thousands carried on falling ill and dying. This piece aims to contrast the old with the new, decay with positive change, and people far apart trying to feel close.

Produced by Ultima in collaboration with Den Norske Opera & Ballett.
In collaboration with Monheim Triennale. Supported by Kulturrådet.

• Wheelchair users must buy tickets by phone from the Oslo Opera House’s customer service centre: +47 21 42 21 21.
• We take infection control very seriously, and will be implementing appropriate procedures to protect the public and staff.