Maybe it’s make-believe: a curious Norma in Oslo

By Aksel Tollåli, 23 January 2018

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“a flamboyantly terrifying beetle”

Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 20 January 2018

Bellini, Norma

Norwegian National Opera

Antonino Fogliani, Conductor

Sigrid Strøm Reibo, Director

Katrin Nottrodt, Set Designer

Esther Bialas, Costume Designer

Hrachuhí Bassénz, Norma

Dshamilja Kaiser, Adalgisa

Arnold Rutkowski, Pollione

Simon Lim, Oroveso

Tone Kummervold, Clotilde

Thor Inge Falch, Flavio

Norwegian National Opera Orchestra

Norwegian National Opera Chorus

Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line offers powerful performances

Maggie Foyer, 13th September

A dramatic staging of two Greek myths, Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line is an epic production for Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, a truly modern and totally original work.

****1

Alone and in love: Christoph Loy’s compelling new Onegin in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 15th February

Chrisoph Loy's new Oslo production of Eugene Onegin only somewhat succeeds in its desire to create a meditation on loneliness, but superb musical performances still make it an utterly compelling piece of music theatre.

****1

Too many doors: Don Giovanni in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 29th May

Despite some dramatic frustrations, at least in Oslo, Jones' production is saved by some truly outstanding singing.

***11

Into the abyss: a harrowing Wozzeck in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 25th November

Christoph Loy's Oslo production of Wozzeck is a dramatic triumph, with gripping performances from a cast led by Audun Iversen's desperate title character.

*****

An underwhelming Barber in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 14th October

François de Carpentries' Oslo production of The Barber of Seville was both unfunny and underwhelming.

**111

Bieito's Tosca: A web of white packing tape

Aksel Tollåli, 11th June

Calixto Bieito's Tosca, despite an intriguingly modern setting, fails to make sparks fly.

***11

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Aksel Tollåli

Aksel is currently studying towards a degree in musicology at the University of Oslo. At the moment he is an exchange student at Goldsmiths College in London. He is also a choral singer and a trombonist. His musical interests include 20th-cenury French music, Baroque opera and the music of Richard Strauss.