Klassische Musik, Oper, Ballett und Tanz in Bodø, Norwegen

Lise Davidsen's Ariadne and Sara Hershkowitz' Zerbinetta shine in the Arctic Philharmonic's slightly lacklustre Ariadne auf Naxos

The repertoire in Anne Sofie von Otter’s recital in Bodø Cathedral this Saturday was truly a mixed bag. Ranging 350-odd years, from the 1650s all the way up until the very present day, spanning four countries and as many languages, and joined by two accompanists – Mats Bergström and Svante Henryson – there was really no unifying theme to the recital.

When Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (“The Creation”) had its public première in 1799, the forces were nothing less than gigantic; the orchestra numbered 120 people and the choir 60, considerable forces even today. The forces in use on Thursday’s performance were perhaps not of the same size, an orchestra of about 70, and a choir of 26.