The Indian Queen by Henry Purcell

In 1664, the British author John Dryden wrote the play The Indian Queen about the conflict between the Aztecs and the Incas, in the years before America was colonized by the Europeans. It has all the ingredients an opera should have: war, love, power struggles and jealousy, moral dilemmas, beautiful princesses, brave warriors and evil queens. In 1695, Henry Purcell composed music for the play, expanding it with song and dance numbers. And 425 years later, Ursus productions discovered the piece. This is their version

Bodil Rørtveit, voice

Nawar Alnaddaf, voice, oud, ney

Jostein Gundersen, recorders

Inga Margrete Aas, double bass

Sound design Thorolf Thuestad / Light design Ida Brønn / Costume Gøril Wallin / Outside eye Maia Urstad / Producer Aistė Žumbakytė

Prerecorded musicians Sigbjørn Apeland, harmonium; Owen Weaver, percussion; Grethe Tonheim, trombone; Morten Barrikmo, clarinet; Emilie Heldal Lidsheim, violin

Co-produced by BIT Teatergarasjen.

With support from: Norsk kulturfond, Bergen Kommune, Morten Eide Pedersens minnefond, Avgarde, Fond for lyd og bilde.