The new opera by legendary composer Philip Glass, circus company Cirkus Cirkör and Malmo Opera received rave reviews.

The world premiere of Circus Days and Nights at Malmö Opera was well attended by critics through live streaming. The new opera by legendary composer Philip Glass and circus company Cirkus Cirkör received rave reviews.

For press tickets to the live stream, interviews with team or cast or additional information, please contact Torgny Nilsson, press manager at Malmö Opera, +46(0)703 55 81 80 or Henrik Sundin, press manager at Cirkus Cirkör, +46(0)70 356 20 58.

New opera by Philip Glass
Circus Days and Nights, a new opera by legendary composer Philip Glass and librettists David Henry Hwang and circus director Tilde Björfors, is based on a collection of poems by American poet Robert Lax. Co-produced by Cirkus Cirkör and Malmö Opera, the collaboration features a unique, never before seen fusion of circus and opera.

Circus Days and Nights will be sung in English, with English or Swedish surtitles optional.

Premiere streamed by 30 nationalities
The premiere performance was seen from 30 countries, amongst them USA, UK, GBR, Russia, Singapore, Brazil and all Nordic countries save Iceland. As opera critic Camilla Lundberg states below, it surely was an international event.

"Sensationally staged”
Andrew Clements, The Guardian

“A beautiful moment of reflection”
Margareta Sörenson, Expressen

“Through the live streaming, Philip Glass’ and Tilde Björfors’ cicus opera will become the international event it deserves to be”
Camilla Lundberg, Swedish National Television

“Daring and beautiful”
Bo Löfvendahl, Svenska Dagbladet

"Philip Glass new work is a stylish balancing act between opera and circus"
Rosemary Waugh, The Stage

"An almost sensational premiere of an opera by Philip Glass"
Per Feltzin, Swedish National Radio

"Together, Glass and Björfors and the entire cast and crew have created a show that is far more than the sum of its parts and is a declaration of love to life and creativity."
Zenaida des Aubris, Bachtrack
(The leading music site for classical concerts, opera, and dance)

”Intoxicating”
John Diliberto, Echoes
(US Radio station)

Contact
For tickets to the live stream, interviews or additional information, please contact Torgny Nilsson, press manager at Malmö Opera, +46(0)703 55 81 80 or Henrik Sundin, press manager at Cirkus Cirkör, +46(0)70 356 20 58.

Additional information and tickets:
https://www.malmoopera.se/forestallningar/circus-days-and-nights-in-english

Circus Days and Nights
an opera by Philip Glass (music) and David Henry Hwang and Tilde Björfors (libretto), based on the poems by Robert Lax. World premiere May 29, 2021, at Malmö Opera.

Team

Conductor: Minna Weurlander
Director & concept: Tilde Björfors
Set & costume design: Magdalena Åberg
Lighting design: Ellen Ruge/Robert Hvenström
Sound design: Avgoustos Psillas
Choreography: Methinee Wongtrakoon/Simon Wiborn
Creative rigger: Saar Rombout

Artists

Lax F, the poet as a young man: Elin Rombo / Margaux De Valensart 
Lax M, the old poet: Jakob Högström  /  Anton Ljungqvist
Ringmaster, father of the Cristiani family: Simon Wiborn
Ringmasters's wife: Karolina Blixt
Mogador, eldest son of the Cristianis: Nikolas Pulka
Second son of the Cristianis: Aaron Hakala
Youngest son of the Cristianis: Andreas De Ryck
Julia, a circus artist: Susanna Stern
Bruno, the old circus artist (Cristiani family): Lars Johansson Brissman
The orphan, a lion tamer: Methinee Wongtrakoon
Enrico Rastelli, a circus artist: Peter Åberg
Penelope: Beatriz Pantojo
La Louisa: Pierre Heault

Musicians

Minna Weurlander, accordion
Viktor Nordliden, cello
Inga Zeppezauer, violin
Blagoj Lamnjov, clarinet
Oscar Fransson, trumpet
Martin Jönsson, bass trombone
Sigvald Fersum, percussion

Malmö Opera chorus

Cirkus riggers

Mathieu Grégoire
Saar Rombout