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© Den Kongelige Opera
Asle and Alida
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 March 2026 | ||||||
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Asle and Alida is performed in Norwegian with Danish and English supertitles.
A newly composed opera based on the famous trilogy by Nobel laureate Jon Fosse.
The straightforward yet profound language of Nobel laureate Jon Fosse, combined with enchanting soundscapes crafted by Bent Sørensen, forms the backbone of a new Danish-Norwegian opera. This dramatic work centres on the young, fate-entwined couple, Asle and Alida.
One of Norway's greatest authors and playwrights, Jon Fosse, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023, creates a libretto based on his award-winning novella trilogy Wakefulness, Olav’s Dreams and Weariness. The original title of the first novella, Andvake (Wakefulness) is mysteriously ambiguous and could be translated as meaning 'sleepless’, 'night owl' or 'vigilant.' The trilogy tells the story of a poor musician and his pregnant girlfriend, Asle and Alida, who seek shelter in the dark, cold and rainy city of Bjørgvin, only to encounter closed doors and a cruel fate.
Bent Sørensen, a Nordic Council Prize winner aptly known as a 'night owl' for his preference to compose at night, has been dubbed a 'dream catcher' and 'sound magician.' With this opera, the Danish composer envelops the narrative in his expressive musical language.
The words of Jon Fosse, drawn from one of this century's most acclaimed Scandinavian trilogies, combined with the score that captures Bent Sørensen's evocative and expressive musical realm, set the stage for this dramatic narrative, exploring how fate can guide individuals onto perilous paths.
Staging this tale of fate is Sofia Jupither, a Fosse expert who directed Tristan und Isolde at the Royal Danish Opera last season. This year's P2 Talent, Louise McClelland Jacobsen, will sing the part of Alida.
In collaboration with the Bergen National Opera.
The Royal Danish Theatre extends its gratitude to the Augustinus Foundation and the Obel Family Foundation for their generous support, which has enabled the staging of Asle and Alida.
Recommended for ages 15 and up.
Program and cast
Expected duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes incl. 1 interval
Composer: Bent Sørensen
Librettist: Jon Fosse
Conductor: Eivind Gullberg Jensen
Director: Sofia Adrian Jupither
Set Designer.: Erlend Birkeland
Costume Design: Maria Geber
Light Designer: Ellen Ruge
Chorus Master: Karine Locatelli
Cast - Subject to change
Alida: Louise McClelland Jacobsen
Asle: Wiktor Sundqvist
The older man: Johannes Weisser
The younger woman: Kari Dahl Nielsen
Conductor: Eivind Gullberg Jensen
The Copenhagen Opera House
The house is administered by the Royal Danish Theatre and is one of the best-equipped in the world. It has a main stage with five other stages directly connected, where large setups can be moved easily in and out. The theatre can seat between 1492 and 1703, depending on the size of the orchestra. The 1492 seats are all individually angled in order to provide the best experience.
The orchestra pit is one of the largest in any opera house, with room for 110 musicians; the structure provides excellent sound quality for the orchestra. If the pit is filled, some musicians are located just below the front of the stage, which has become controversial among some members of the orchestra (according to tour guides in 2005), because this increases the sound levels, beyond those acceptable in Denmark. However, the overhang is very slight and the authorities have permitted this to happen.
During construction of the theatre, some acoustic tests were carried out with the fire curtain in place while technical work was carried out on stage, but great consideration was given to balance between pit and stage. If the orchestra is small or absent, the pit can be covered and additional seats can be added to the auditorium.
Opera House entrance
Just like the old Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, The Queen has her own box on the left side of the auditorium, closest to the stage. The foyer has been designed for comfort, based on behavioural research on opera goers maximizing the wall area for standing against, while still providing views across the entire foyer and one of the best views on Copenhagen. Guided tours cover most of the building, including both the auditorium and backstage areas.
© Den Kongelige Opera
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