Two new opera arias by Henrik Hellstenius and Maja S. K. Ratkje receive their world premieres at The Norwegian Opera and Ballet on Saturday 20 June 2026 with Edward Gardner conducting.
The concert brings together newly composed arias from five of Norwegian composers in a programme that explores the dark often unsettling narratives of the traditional murder ballad that combines elements of true crime, moral storytelling and poetic song.
The five singers of The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS) each perform a newly written aria composed specifically for their voices. The bass singer Johannes Nikolai Aas performs What Blood? by Henrik Hellstenius while mezzo soprano Laura Mayer sings The Farmer's Curst Wife by Maja S. K. Ratkje.
The concert 'Love me to death' is their final performance at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet.
