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

On stage
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.