Henrik Hellstenius

Ophelias: Death by Water Singing

Elisabeth Holmertz

Label: Lawo Classics
Format: CD
Barcode: 7090020181103

Catalog number: LWC 1098
Releasedate: 15-07-16

Contemporary Opera, Hamlet, Ophelia, Norwegian composer Henrik Hellstenius, Norwegian librettist Cecilie Løveid

With this work, librettist Cecilie Loveid has taken the Danish myth of Hamlet and the Shakespeare play of the same name and virtually removed most of the men. She has also done away with many of the words. Shakespeare's deep and strongly expressive brooder has become a rather stuttering figure, with a fragility that is underscored in the music. Composer Henrik Hellstenius provides Hamlet with a wide scope of vocal articulation. The Prince's voice traverses the full range, with rapid shifts from child-like melodies through to recitatives and booming, resonant timbres.

Intro