Hypermusikal* (Hypermusical)
In the documentary opera Hypermusikal* (Hypermusical) by Opera Omnia, one sought the answers what make the musicians in Manger Musikklag (The Musical Association of Manger) to spend all their spare time on one of the country’s most ambitious brass bands.Obsessive musical interest, loyalty, a competitive streak, bubbling musical joy, all-absorbing full time hobby and an indestructible community.
*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.
Information
(Objekt ID 4850)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | September 27, 2009 |
| Produced by | Studio O |
| In collaboration with | Bergen National Opera, BrassWind |
| Audience | Adults, Youth |
| Keywords | Opera, Documentary |
| Running period | September 27, 2009 |
| Website | Opera Omnia |
The documentary opera revolved around a rehearsal situation in which the musicians got ready for a concert performance of Glenn Erik Haugland’s musical piece Musikk til å leve av (Music to Live for). A group of female singers observed and highlighted thoughts from interviews with members of the band. The texts were commented by observations from neurologist Oliver Sachs’ book Musicophilia – tales of music and the brain.
In Hypermusikal Opera Omnia sought the answers to the question what motivates the members of an elite brass band such as Manger Musikklag. The hunt followed two trails. One dealt with a potentially hyperactive relation to music, the other with the societal aspect considering the inner life of a band.
In Hypermusikal by Opera Omnia the audience got to hear about the meaning of music throughout the members’ upbringing, about idols and environment and how the mastering of musical challenges have had significance for the musicians in Manger. Further they told how playing affects the concentration, their understanding of roles, focus plus listening. The opera drew a musical portrait of a whole little society, but mostly it was about the excitement and the joy of creating music together.
Source: Den Nye Opera, nyop.no, 01.08.2010, http://www.nyop.no/?page=26&news=51
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Heidi Tronsmo | – Text |
| Heidi Tronsmo | – Concept/Idea |
| Hege Gabrielsen | – Direction |
| Glenn Erik Haugland | – Direction |
| Heidi Tronsmo | – Direction |
| Glenn Erik Haugland | – Music |
| Trond Korsgård | – Conductor |
| Michael McCarthy | – Dramaturge |
| Cathrine Ahlsen | – Costume design |
| Ståle Tråsdahl | – Lighting design |
| Camilla Ediassen | – Singer |
| Ragnhild Eide Akslen | – Singer |
| Hilde Anine Hasselberg | – Singer |
| Felicia Kajser | – Singer |
| Ingjerd K. Kolstad | – Singer |
| Magnhild Korsvik | – Singer |
| Elise Varne | – Singer |
| Andreas Lekven | – Sound technician |
| Andreas Lekven | – Lighting technician |
| Heidi Tronsmo | – Other (intervjuer/sang på tape) |
| May 21, 2011 15:00 – Scene 2, Den Norske Opera & Ballett, The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet | Show |
| May 21, 2011 19:00 – Scene 2, Den Norske Opera & Ballett, The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet | Show |
| September 30, 2009 | Show |
| September 29, 2009 | Show |
| September 27, 2009 – Hovudscenen, Det Vestnorske Teateret / Logen | Worldwide premiere |
| September 27, 2009 – Hovudscenen, Det Vestnorske Teateret / Logen | Show |
Opera is about involving and creating real experiences for the audience. One has to say that Glenn Erik Haugland and Heidi Tronsmo’s Hypermusikal about the life in Manger Musikklag works excellently. To write a documentary opera about the relations in such an elite organisation is about a lot more than brass band music alone. Many generally valid dilemmas and challenges are subjects of Hypermusikal. Source: Espen Selvik, 30.09.2009, Review titled Different and Favorable, bt.no, 01.08.2010, http://www.bt.no/bergenpuls/scene/anmeldelser/Annerledes-og-vellykket-940081.html