What you’ll hear and see
The artists
- Ryoko Yano violin
- Jean-Philippe Vivier clarinet
- Léon Ni trombone
- Dina Nimax harp
- Gabriel Benlolo percussion
- Elena Kats-Chernin composition
- Susanne Felicitas Wolf text
- Benjamin Prins Translator
- Pascale-Sabine Chevroton directing
- Timo Dentler stage design
- Okarina Peter costume design
Musical theatre based on motifs of a Norwegian folk tale by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe
Valemon, King of the Ice Bears, asks Count Erik for the hand of his daughter Ragna. Erik declines, but Ragna agrees, as she had a dream about Valemon and knows that his heart is full of love. She follows the bear to his castle. Valemon tells Ragna a secret: at night, he becomes human, but he can only be with her in the dark and never show himself. Ragna promises not to ask any questions. Their happiness is great – until her mother writes her a letter, claiming that Valemon is an evil troll. Ragna decides to look at her sleeping husband. Valemon wakes up. Horror: now he must travel to the realm of the Troll Queen, who has put a spell on him. Ragna swears that she will save him… A magical, fascinating piece of musical theatre about love, courage and trust.Production and commission Philharmonie