Premiere December 1st 2018

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence and sovereignty this large scale performance is a journey throug music from past and present, woven in an intricate tapestry of tales and tones, based on fragmented stories and imagery of Icelanders.The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, along with actors, singers and soloists spin a symphonic saga with the choirs Schola cantorum and the choir of Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð.

Through this symphonic performative installation there is a poetic investicagation into the heart and psyche of  the Icelandic nation and its relation to its identity and the world at large. The notions of postcolonial identity and the state of democracy in the you nation are key themes, underscored by works by e.g. Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Carl Nielsen, Jón Leifs and a premier of the work ÓS by Bára Gísladóttir, which was composed for this occasion, a new version of the choral work Ad Genua by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir to the lyrics of Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir and Seqinniarfik by greenlandic composer Arnannguaq Gerstrøm.

Artists on stage:

Actors: Kristín Þóra Haraldsdóttir, Nicholas Candy and Orri Huginn Ágústsson. Soprano soloist: Jóna G. Kolbrúnardóttir. Rap musician: Ragna Kjartansdóttir. The Ensemble Adapter with Varna Nielsen drummer-dancer from Greenland.

Costume designer:  Ingibjörg Jara Sigurðardóttir.

Director and conceptual visual design: Arnbjörg María Danielsen

Video and visual design: Lene Juhl

Light and video technology:  Kasper Wolf Stouenborg

Light design: Jóhann Bjarni

Sound: Jón Skuggi

Conductor: Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason.

The production was broadcast live on televison in collaboration with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Harpa.

videos from the Icelandic Boradcasting Network ruv:

Bára Gísaldóttir: ÓS for symphony

Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Ad Genua

Arnannguaq Gerstøm, Varna and Ensemble Adapter: Seqinniarfik