Lisbeta – en trollkona skall du icke låta leva

Opera libretto and direction.

Premiere in Mariehamn 15.7.2021, performances 16-17.7.2021. Tour performances to Helsinki Aleksanterin teatteri 21-22.4.2022
Available in its entirety: https://youtu.be/tKpwEs8PUR4


Lisbeta – thou shalt not suffer a witch to live is an opera about misogyny and superstition. A magpie’s laugh echoes across Sund as the parish priest and the new district judge rile up the locals to fear the unknown. Soon, seven women will be executed for a new crime: communing with the devil.

Lisbeta – thou shalt not suffer a witch to live is a musical celebration in which 17th century women accused of witchcraft take power over the logic of hate rhetoric. For Åland's 100th anniversary of autonomy, we are giving Lisbeta and her sisters in woe a voice through a newly written, modern opera.

We say their names.

Lisbeta Skarp from Persnäs
Karin Persdotter from Emkarby
Maria Nilsdotter from Emkarby
Ebba Hindrichszon from Finby
Anna Bengtzdotter from Högbolstad
Ingeborg Olsdotter from Västansunda
Margreta Mårtensdotter from Norrby
Executed for crimes dreamed up by the men of power. Stripped of their rights, feared by their peers, for witchcraft notorious.

Premiere July 15, 2021 at 7 pm in Alandica Culture & Congress, Åland. Subsequent performances 16 July and 17 July, at 7 pm.

Original cast:
Lisbeta - Sofie Asplund, soprano
Psilander - Philip Björkqvist, bass-baritone
Kjellinus - Dan Karlström, tenor
Karin - Jenny Carlstedt, mezzo-soprano
Ebba - Therese Karlsson, soprano
Per - Aarne Pelkonen, baritone
The magpie - Veli Kujala, quarter-tone accordion
Estonian Sinfonietta
The Lisbeta Choir

Artistic team:

Music: Karólína Eiríksdóttir
Libretto: Carina Karlsson and Ida Kronholm
Conductor: Anna-Maria Helsing
Chorus Master: Pipsa Juslin
Director: Ida Kronholm
Choreography: Soledad Howe
Scenography: Maria Antman
Costume design: Matilda Karlström
Mask design: Emelie Eriksson
Lighting design: Mari Agge
Repetiteur: Dmitri Tyapkin
Orchestera: Estonian Sinfonietta
Producer: Barbro Sundback
Finance Manager: Rosi Djupsund