The 2024-25 season is now revealed
The Greek Passion
Martinů's The Greek Passion – an opera about a refugee crisis and the relevance of Christian values – is the opera of the time. From being forgotten for decades, The Greek Passion is now staged all over the world, proving once again that the opera genre can help ask the most difficult questions. In Den Jyske Opera's production, Martinů's overwhelming music, with its huge choral elements, will also include real refugees in order to challenge the boundary between reality and fiction.
Madama Butterfly
Puccini's masterpiece is a true classic and one of the world's most beloved operas. With its immortal melodies, Madama Butterfly tells the tragic story of an irresponsible and self-absorbed American lieutenant who falls in love with a Japanese geisha. However, he fails to live up to his marriage promise and leaves her - without knowing that she is pregnant.
Despite being a legendary failure at its world premiere in 1904, Puccini's masterpiece has subsequently become a perennial success. It has been calculated that Madama Butterfly is staged on average once a day somewhere around the world.
Fête galante
'Fête galante' refers to the paintings that show the parties and excesses of the French nobility in the 18th century. In the popular Danish composer Poul Schierbeck's Fête galante, such a love fest gets out of control when Count René leads the young Suzon into the dark, and this has major consequences. Poul Schierbeck has the melodies for some of the most popular Danish songs but the masterpiece Fête galante is his only opera.
Anne Barslev will be the new Artistic Director at Den Jyske Opera
1st of May 2024, the 48-year-old opera director Anne Barslev will take over as the new Artistic Director at Den Jyske Opera.
Season 2023-24
Werther
Act one: Wetzlar, 1780. Charlotte has promised on her mother’s deathbed to marry Albert. She does not love him but had come to terms with her fate until she meets the passionate Werther, who awakens her emotions.
Act two: A few months later. Charlotte has kept her promise and married Albert. Werther is meant to escort Charlotte’s younger sister Sophie to a ball but seems unwilling. He is tormented by his feelings for Charlotte and finally storms out of the house. Albert realizes that Werther is in love with his wife.
Act three: Werther has begun to send romantic love letters to Charlotte, who realizes that she has married the wrong man. Sophie tries to comfort her. Nevertheless, Charlotte decides to keep her marriage vows and sends Werther away. In desperation, Werther asks for Albert’s pistols, seeing death as the only way out.
Act four: Christmas Eve. Charlotte looks for Werther to try and prevent his suicide but arrives too late – he has already mortally injured himself. She confesses her love to Werther and kisses him before he dies. A Christmas carol is heard in the distance.
Music: Jules Massenet
Premiere: 1st February 2024 in Musikhuset Aarhus
Tour: 1st February – 11th March 2024
Musikhuset Aarhus: 1st – 3rd February 2024
Orchestras: Landsdelsorkestrene
