Concert Barn to be Opera House in summer

This summer’s Sångfest in Vattnäs Concert Barn is over two weeks 13-29 July. This will be the first full-scale opera festival in Vattnäs, with a premier of Benjamin Britten’s opera The Rape of Lucretia on 13 July. The Concert Barn’s artistic director, the singer Pers Anna Larsson, appears in the title role and is responsible for the production concept. Moreover, there are a number of concerts with internationally recognised names. Vattnäs Concert Barn, close to Lake Orsa’s beautiful shore outside Mora, was inaugurated last summer on the initiative of the singers Pers Anna Larsson and her husband Göran Eliasson.

Vattnäs Concert Barn is a place for world class artistry in a beautiful rural Dalarna setting. In the centre are invited artists who join in creating musical magic in this simple barn format; everything is real and near but of the highest quality. 

The background to this almost incredible story – how an ordinary barn quite off the beaten track has been transformed into an opera stage – has its beginning in that the internationally acclaimed Swedish alto Pers Anna Larsson has her origins in the family home in Vattnäs. Now, on home ground, Anna and Göran together can create music in a place they themselves choose to be. The contrast to the great stages in the cities around the world is striking.

“Britten’s opera dates from just after the Second World War,” says Sofia Nyblom, the project leader. “It has beautiful music, with a dramatic story set in ancient Rome. Written for eight singers and thirteen musicians, it is perfect for Vattnäs Concert Barn!”   Between the eight opera performances there will be concerts with Swedish opera stars.

“Over and above this, we will also have opera introductory talks and chats after performances, where the public can meet the singers and share their impressions. We also have plans to have some seminars!”    

“It’s fantastic that we can offer such breadth in the Siljan district. We really do have something for all tastes and Vattnäs Concert Barn clearly extends and sharpens this further with a world class music program,” says Birgitta Pettersson, CEO, Siljan Tourism.

 Read more about the summer’s program, the artists & this unique story at www.konsertladan.com.

More information: project leader, Sofia Nyblom, 070–237 73 61. sofia.nyblom@konsertladan.com