Icelandic National Opera
The Icelandic National Opera (Icelandic: Þjóðaróperan) is an arts institution based in Reykjavík, Iceland. It was founded by a law passed by the Icelandic Parliament in 2025, with operations expected to begin in 2026.
History
[edit | edit source]The Icelandic Opera, the predecessor of the Icelandic National Opera, moved to Harpa Concert Hall in 2011. Several controversies were seen as undermining its operations, including a law suit filed by a leading soprano for breach of contract during rehearsals of The Marriage of Figaro. The singer, Þóra Einarsdóttir, won the case at the Icelandic Court of Appeal in 2022.[1] The following year, then Minister of Culture Lilja Alfreðsdóttir announced that the Icelandic government would cease its financial support of the self-governing Icelandic Opera, which at the time amounted to ca. ISK 216 million [$1.64 million, €1.5 million]. Instead, a new, state-run company was announced on the model of the nation's other leading arts institutions, the National Theatre and Iceland Symphony Orchestra.[2] After several delays, in part due to a snap election and forming of a new government in December 2024, a new "stage arts bill" (sviðslistalög) was passed in the Icelandic parliament in June 2025.[3] According to the new law, the organization of the Opera is part of the National Theatre, with 12 full-time positions intended for solo singers and 16 part-time positions for choir members.[3]
In September 2025, the position of Opera Director was advertised, with 11 people applying for the post.[4] In November that year, it was announced that the appointment of a Director would be delayed; the Minister of Culture, Logi Einarsson, was disqualified from making the decision, since one of the applicants had been an employee of the Ministry in preparing the new law.[5]
It is expected that the new Icelandic National Opera will stage its first opera production in 2026.
References
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