The Night Folk

The mayor and a group of investors want to cut down an ancient oak forest to make way for holiday cabins. Teenagers Ciril and Noah decide to take action, fighting to save the forest – and all the creatures who live there. 

The music is by Knut Vaage, with a libretto by Bjørn Sortland and  direction by Erik Ulfsby. 

Two worlds – one threatened forest 

The village of Indre Kluredal is divided in two: a local community with a town hall and ambitious development plans, and an ancient oak forest where the Night Folk live in a hidden, magical realm. 

The Night Folk are bird-like, human-like beings. They love to sing and imitate sounds. Shy and devoted to the old ways, they live quietly, and very few people know they exist. 

The battle for the voice 

When the forest owner and mayor Kjell decides to fell the oak forest to make room for cabins and a nature park, the very foundation of life for the Night Folk is threatened. 

Their only counterforce is a witch who has the power to steal people’s singing voices. And without a voice, life becomes both silent and sad. 

Ciril and Noah set out on a journey to the capital to ask the Queen herself for help. She is more than willing – she wants to be a queen of the  people. 

The opera explores deforestation and the urgent need to protect nature – a highly relevant theme – but also something deeply fundamental: What happens when we lose our voice? 

Creating new opera together 

The Night Folk is part of a three‑part collaboration between Den Norske Opera & Ballett, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera, and Bergen National Opera. The aim of the collaboration is to create more ambitious and exciting music drama for young audiences.