Based on a short story by the famous Faroese writer, William Heinesen, the Faroese composer, Sunleif Rasmussen, and Faroese librettist, Dánial Hoydal, have created an opera that tells the story about how the boy, Marselius, meets the girl, Stella Kristina, in a madman’s garden.

The mysterious madman is the central character in the story even though he is almost totally inactive. But the entire story evolves around him and the young couple’s perception of him. We follow their development, fantasies and struggle to cope with the mystery of life, adolescence and love, staged in the gloomy shadow of the madman and his seductive garden.

The opera was commissioned in 2001 by the classical ensemble, Aldubáran. It is produced as a joint production between The Nordic House and The National Stage of The Faroe Islands.

The Madman’s Garden is a chamber opera performed by an ensemble of 15 musicians, two actors, three singers, and two dancers. 

It will be performed at the Nordic House, Thórshavn, Faroe Islands 12-16 October.

For more information about the opera: www.themadmansgarden.com