Page 178 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

176  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Drama and Classical Music for new Swedish and foreign
drama. Marionetteatern has
Scandinavia has a long-standing devotion to arts patronage. puppet shows for both children
When the classical arts such as opera, ballet, and theatre came and adults, along with a puppet
to Stockholm in the 18th century, grand performance venues museum on the same premises.
began to be built. As a result, Stockholm has produced first- Pantomimteatern is a theatre
company which performs not
class international artists such as composer Franz Berwald and only in Stock holm but tours
dancer Nathalie Nordquist. While the traditional arts continue rural areas, too.
to flourish, an unusually high percentage of the world’s top Light-hearted plays are often
pop artists originate in Stockholm. The Stockholm cultural staged at China-Teatern, and its
scene has never been more expressive. programmes include some
highly popular musicals and
some much-loved plays for
children. High-quality musicals
Ballet and Dance
near Ulriksdal (see p127). are also performed at Oscars-
Classical ballet of the highest Between June and September Teatern, Göta Lejon and Cirkus.
quality is mainly staged at the weekly opera and ballet
over 100-year-old Kungliga performances are held here.
Operan (see pp66–7). Every Another genre of classical opera Classical Music
season three of the best-known is staged at Folkoperan, which World-standard classical music
ballets, for example The performs the classics in Swedish is regularly performed at
Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Romeo and without elaborate scenery. Berwaldhallen (see p108). The
and Juliet, are performed to SpaghettiOperan Regina is a hall is dedicated to the great
packed houses. Thanks to the late rebuilt cinema where audiences Swedish composer Franz Berwald
choreographer Birgit Cullberg, can dine in comfort while (1796–1868) and is home to
Stockholm has also become a enjoying the opera. the Swedish Radio Symphony
noted centre for modern dance. Orchestra, which has thrived
Many established dance under musical directors such as
companies make guest Theatres and Musicals Sergiu Celibidache and Esa-Pekka
appearances at Dansens Hus (see Stockholm has a flourishing Salonen. The Swedish Radio
p71), which has taken over the theatrical life, but perform- Chorus, which is regarded as one
previous home of Stadsteatern. ances are usually in Swedish. of the world’s great a cappella
Moderna Dansteatern in the old Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern, ensembles, is based here, too.
torpedo factory on Skepps- often known simply as Concerts are also given in the hall
holmen is another important “Dramaten” (see pp74–5), is by other symphony orchestras
stage for modern dance. Sweden’s national theatre and and smaller ensembles.
has five stages. Internat ional Konserthuset (see p70) is the
and Swedish classics are home of the Royal Stockholm
Opera
regularly performed here, from Philharmonic Orchestra, an
Traditional productions in their Shakespeare to Strind berg, as internationally acclaimed 100-
original language are staged well as modern foreign and piece ensemble whose season
mainly at Kungliga Operan. Swedish produc tions. Ingmar runs from August to May. Its
Lunchtime operas or concerts Bergman was the theatre’s programme includes a couple of
are sometimes per formed in the director from 1963–6, and he chamber music series and a jazz
Gustav III opera café. During the has returned as an acclaimed series, as well as performances
summer, major operas are guest director many times for families on Saturdays. An
presented at Drottningholms since then. annual composition festival is
Slottsteater (see pp146–49). Södra Teatern (see p130) often held every November.
Dating from the 18th century, presents modern pro ductions Musikaliska (see p85) was
the theatre’s stage settings and despite having roots that go formerly the home of the Musical
scene-shifting machinery are back to the 19th century. Academy. Apart from July and
preserved in their original Stockholms Stads teater, based August, its large hall is now used
condition and are still in good in Kulturhuset (see p69), has a almost daily for concerts. In
working order. All the operas widely varied programme. A addition to classical music, you
performed here are also from summer speci ality is the popular can hear performances of jazz,
the 18th century, and over the series of Parkteatern productions choral music and folk music.
years the theatre has revived in several of the city’s parks with Music at the Palace is an
several unknown works by drama, dance and children’s annual summer series at the
Mozart, using instruments theatre. Judiska Teatern has a Royal Palace (see pp50–53) with
typical of that era. The theatre repertoire of new Jewish drama, two concerts every week,
is open for guided tours. as well as dance, poetry and film usually classical music but
Sweden’s oldest Rococo shows. Teater Galeasen is sometimes other styles. The
theatre, Confidencen, is located Stockholm’s avant-garde stage concerts are normally staged in

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