We are very excited to be able to present to you our conductor for Bellini’s Norma in the summer of 2024, Michael Balke! He has previously conducted The Flying Deutchman in 2016, and Don Carlo in 2018 at Opera på Skäret.
Michael Balke has gained international acclaim for his performances. He regularly follows invitations to many European countries as well as Japan, South Korea, and the USA. He also continues to collaborate with symphony orchestras in all the major cities in Europe.
He was a conductor at the Magdeburg Opera for a five-year period, and from 2018 to 2021, he held the position of Principal Guest Conductor at the Theatre St. Gallen in Switzerland.
In 2020, he was nominated as “Conductor of the Year” and “Emerging Artist of the Year” at the “Opus Klassik” awards.
– I have been lucky to travel the world and conduct in some of the most incredible theaters and concert halls in the last years. But there are few places that are as dear to me as Opera på Skäret. The combination of an amazing and dedicated team, artists and musicians, wonderful music, and the stunning country side just make the perfect ingredients for me to spend the perfect summer!
What are the challenges working with Bellini music? Is it very different from, for example, Giuseppe Verdi?
– Norma is one of the most important (if not THE most important) bel canto operas. Bel canto operas emphasize the art of singing, with a strong focus on the beauty and flexibility of the human voice with long melodic lines and virtuosic coloratura passages. While vocal virtuosity is a central focus, bel canto operas also prioritize dramatic storytelling. The arias and ensembles are carefully crafted to convey the emotions and conflicts of the characters. Most other operas are much more driven from the orchestra pit. So my biggest challenge (and joy!) is to create the right “bel canto sound” with the orchestra and to carry the singers through this masterpiece.
– I must say that it was an enormous pleasure working with both orchestras! The Swedish Chamber Orchestra of course has a very unique sound and a brilliant culture of music-making which was very inspiring for me. The freelance orchestra that Klas – who we miss so terribly – had put together was such a joy to work with as well. Led by Jan the wonderful concertmaster, we had so many incredible individual musicians and it offered me the chance to create our very own sound and style for Don Carlo.
You are a father of three children and your wife is also a musician. How is it like to live in an artistic family and are there any challenges?
– All my kids grew up in the theatre and are used to go to operas and concerts from very early on. My youngest son just watched my performance of SALOME on my wife’s lap. Luckily he fell asleep right after Salome’s dance – missing the “ugly” ending 🙂 My teenage girls especially enjoy opening-night parties!
The challenges of course are combining travels, performances and daily family life. But we feel blessed to have music in our lives and enjoy every moment of it.
We are really looking forward to cooperate with You again! Why should the audience chose to see and listen to Norma?
– Norma is a fascinating story about the love triangle and conflict between Norma, a Druid high priestess, her secret Roman lover Pollione and Adalgisa, a younger priestess who becomes involved with Pollione, leading to dramatic consequences in their society. Bellini set it to stunningly touching music including one of the most famous arias ever written – “Casta diva”. Working together in the family-like setting at Skäret will give us the chance to find our very own interpretation of this moving story.
What is your favorite memory from your prior years at Skäret?
– There are too many amazing memories – for example opening my very first can of Surströmming, the wonderful colleagues in the chorus and everyone who makes this festival possible on stage and backstage, the incredible colors in the sky around midnight sitting on a boat in the middle of one of the beautiful lakes, and many more. Can’t wait to be back!
In short, a great conductor who is in demand all over the world. We are very happy to welcome him as the conductor of Norma at Opera på Skäret.
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