Peer Gynt

Most of us know Peer Gynt. The guy who drinks, lies and charms the ladies but runs when things get complicated. The guy who battles his inner demons and outer tribulations and finds success abroad – but who eventually returns to the woman who is waiting for him, to his Solveig.

In this production, Henrik Ibsen's text is performed with Edvard Grieg's magnificent music – which is rare today. What can the contrast and tension between Ibsen's political and satirical play and Grieg's Norwegian national romantic music tell us almost 150 years after its world premiere?

The direction is by Johannes Holmen Dahl, one of Norway's leading theatre directors, who, together with scenographer and costume designer Nia Damerell, has staged a number of critically acclaimed plays, including Hamlet (2021) and Tid for glede (2022).

In the lead role is actor Herbert Nordrum, known for the Oscar-nominated film The Worst Person in the World and the critically acclaimed Hamlet at Nationaltheatret in Oslo. Together with a stellar ensemble, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and a large choir, the rare experience of Peer Gynt in full scale awaits.

The performance is a co-production between the Bergen International Festival and Nationaltheatret – a theatre rooted in Ibsen's own theatre. The music is performed by Grieg's orchestra – the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Søndergård.

After its premiere at the 2024 Bergen International Festival, the production will be staged at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet and Nationaltheatret.

Photo: Erika Hebbert/Nationaltheatret

Information

In 2024, it is 150 years since Ibsen wrote a letter to Grieg asking him to compose music for Peer Gynt. Read more about Grieg's Gynt in this article.

The Bergen International Festival, the University of Bergen, and Studentersamfunnet i Bergen are collaborating on several debates in connection with the Festival production of Peer Gynt: 

See also Peer Gynt – Sexuality, nationalism and identity which took place Wednesday 13 March.  

Read about the Peer Gynt afterparty taking place Friday 24 May.

During this year's festival, you can also taste food inspired by Peer Gynt when chef Christopher Haatuft and author Andreas Liebe Delsett invite you to lunch at Lysverket on May 23rd.

Language

​Performed in Norwegian, titled in English.

Contributors

• Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen

• Johannes Holmen Dahl, Hege Randi Tørressen adaption

• Johannes Holmen Dahl direction

• Edvard Grieg music

• Nia Damerell scenography, costume design

• Martin Myrvold lighting design

• Eva Sharp make-up

• Hege Randi Tørressen dramaturgy

• Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

• Thomas Søndergaard conductor

• Ragnhild Hemsing violin, hardanger fiddle

• Edvard Grieg Vocal Ensemble

• Bergen Philharmonic Choir

• Edvard Grieg Girls Choir

• Edvard Grieg Boys Choir

• Herbert Nordrum Peer Gynt

• Ågot Sendstad Mother Åse

• Frøy Hovland Holtbakk Solveig

• Kåre Conradi, Henriette Marø, Jacob Jensen, Jan Gunnar Røise, Håkon Ramstad, Hanne-Maria Grønneberg cast

A co-production with

​Bergen International Festival and Nationaltheatret

Music by

• ​Grieg

Works

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)
From Peer Gynt, op. 23

Supported by

​H. Westfal-Larsen og Hustru Anna Westfal-Larsens Almennyttige Fond

Sponsored by