‘Den sidste olie’ / ‘The last rites’ is a chamber opera which deals with exploitation as the driving force in the world. The story begins in 1721 – the year of the colonization of Greenland – and unfolds the theme of eternal over-exploitation of territories and people.
Østerbro Ice Skating Rink formed the framework for the world premiere of a monumental, sensuous and chilled opera experience where audience and artists alike experienced the ice in all its forms. The cold and the score slowly envelops, and the fatal story of man who ventures out to conquer new land is brought to life.
‘The last rites’ plays out as a form of baroque opera - the predominant style in Europe in the Age of Enlightenment. Based on the musical idiom of baroque, the award-winning composer Niels Rønsholdt creates a brand new and original work which takes us from the beginning of oil extraction to the destruction that we are clearly seeing the signs of today.
Den sidste olie was premiered at Copenhagen Opera Festival, August 2022.
(The score can be found here.)
CAST
Director: Louise Beck
Composer: Niels Rønsholdt
Costumedesign: Roe Ørslev
Conductor and pianist: James Sherlock
Soloists: Katinka Fogh Vindelev (soprano), Nana Bugge Rasmussen (mezzo-soprano), Richard Låås (basbaryton) and Morten Grove Frandsen (countertenor)
Performanceartist: Nana Franciska Schottländer
Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen
Graphics: Marianne Lumholdt
Light design: Arthur van der Zaag
Props: Josefine Else Larsen
Coordinator: Lukas Quist Lund
Assistant: Selma Klejs Rønsholdt
The performance is produced by OPE-N in collaboration with Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen.
'Den sidste Olie' is publised by Edition·S.
Video production by Wass Produktion.
SUPPORT
Statens Kunstfond, Dansk Komponist Forening, Knud Højgaards Fond, William Demant Fonden, Østerbro Lokaludvalg, Dansk Skuespillerforbunds Produktionsstøttemidler, Københavns Scenekunstudvalg, 15. Juni Fonden and Augustinus Fonden.