Last Tuesday, we took the short flight from Copenhagen to Oslo. It's less than a year since I was in Scandinavia but the lure of returning in the opera season was too much. The highlight of the tour was attending a stunning performance of Rossini's La Cenerentola (Cinderella) at the equally stunning Oslo Opera House last night (Wednesday).
You can read more about the production and performers here. It was a romp with great singers and the producer, Stefan Herheim, is a name to watch out for. I was in the mood from the moment we arrived at the waterfront where "The Glacier" has landed.
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| The audience arriving - some take the long way in by walking up the slopes and across the top before entering |
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| Another view as we left Oslo this morning with the soon to be completed National Museum to the right. |
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| "She Lies" - sculpture to the side of the Opera House |
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| The theatre is enclosed in wood inside and out. The entrance walkway is reminiscent of the Guggenheim New York. |
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| No need for surtitle here - each seat has it's own small screen where you can follow the action in either Danish or English |
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| This woven silver curtain appeared at interval |
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| Well deserved applause and the view as we left about 22.30 |
So if you're ever in Oslo and have an opportunity to attend a performance at this remarkable building, don't hesitate!
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| The change in the skyline over the last 10 months is remarkable with most of the enormous cranes around the Opera House replaced by buildings. View from Level 33, Raddison View Plaza with the Opera House sitting behind the buildings in the foreground. |
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| More redevelopment - these 12 buildings are nicknamed "The Barcode" |
The venue for our 'local" dinner on Tuesday was a quaint restaurant in Vigeland Park. We strolled through the park with its 212 sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland and spring flowerings in the late afternoon - far more pleasant than 30 plus degrees last July!
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| Our dinner venue... |
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| Potted colour of spring flowerings are everywhere - here around Oslo Catherdral |
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| Oslo Domkirke (Oslo Cathedral) is the main church for the Church of Norway. It dates to the 17th century. Fortunately, an organ recital commenced shortly after our arrival. |
Across the square were flower stalls filled with colour. I was drawn to the dahlias and hydrangea which are family favourites. There was plenty to choose from.... Have we had much rain in Sydney while I've been away?
We're now on our way to Bergen - the final destination for the organised section of my trip.
We're taking the long road to Bergen - train, Flam Railway and now 5.5 hours by ferry from Flam to Bergen - 12 hours in all.
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| Kjosfossen Waterfall, Flam Railway - Need some iPhone photography lessons to get rid of those wrinkles but the smile tells the story! |
