Strange omens are on the rise

A strange star rises above the city of Bergen. At first, few people take notice, but little by little, its regular appearance grows impossible to ignore. What happens to the human mind when the world changes in ways beyond our comprehension or control?

In The Morning Star, the story by legendary Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård meets the music of Sebastian Fagerlund, one of the most acclaimed composers of his generation. Gunilla Hemming has written a compelling libretto based on Knausgård’s novel.

The Morning Star is a startlingly prescient work for our time. It invites us to get to know a series of modern-day characters who are trying to make sense of the world and deal with the personal chaos in their lives – alcoholism, career disappointment, crises of faith and despair. At the very moment we, as a species, need to change and take greater responsibility for our actions, there is a collapse of collective meaning and action. The lives of the characters in this opera carry a critical warning for our own time and place.

The Morning Star will premiere at the Finnish National Opera on January 30, 2026. The production will be conducted by Hannu Lintu, Chief Conductor of the Finnish National Opera, and directed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Opera.

Performance dates, cast details, and ticket sales schedule will be announced in spring 2025.

“The story of The Morning Star, with its collision of the unfathomable, mystical world and modern society, has been a great source of inspiration for me. The story of fear, curiosity, uncertainty, anger, and love is timeless. It holds a mirror to us, providing a deep and powerful reflection of our society and life.”

– Sebastian fagerlund, Composer

THE FIRST OPERA BASED ON A WORK BY KNAUSGÅRD

Creative team

cast

Synopsis

On a late, sweltering August evening, a giant star appears above the city of Bergen. The star triggers strange, mystical behavior in nature and animals. People begin to experience visions, and it seems as though the boundaries between life and death, and reality and unreality, are starting to blur.

As the opera progresses, the poignant fates of the six main characters are gradually revealed, layer by layer. Pastor Kathrine struggles with conflicts between her faith and her personal life, and journalist Jostein searches for a story that will make him famous once again. University professor Arne tries to escape the challenges of his wife’s mental illness, while senior nurse Solveig finds love. Jostein’s wife, nurse Turid, attempts to juggle the chaos of her own life, while Arne’s friend Egil is suddenly forced to care for a young son he feels no connection with.

Listen to Fagerlund’s music

tickets and performances

Morgonstjärnan – The Morning Star is supported by Svenska kulturfonden.

the keys to an entertaining evening