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and I imagined a lot of music as a child.
I started playing the violin when I was six.
My music teacher suggested it to my parents.
And I studied music since that.
I had already finished school ―
when I dared to think of becoming a composer ―
and it seemed like the only option ―
after many detours.
Contemporary opera belongs to every good opera house.
But not at the cost of losing the audience.
I want the house to be full.
I want to convince people that it is beautiful.
With a good introduction, many notice ―
that modern opera can be as pretty as, say, Mozart.
Nothing has been able to erase the memory ―
of what happened that night.
That cursed night.
It's exceptional to have an opera with such a topical theme ―
that touches so many ―
and there is also a political message.
This is happening in our own backyard ―
in Chechnya, former Yugoslavia...
A flight from Copenhagen to Paris ―
is like a flight from Copenhagen to Chechnya or Yugoslavia.
The opera really makes you think ―
what it would be like to raise your children ―
in such an environment.
Despite the heavy subject ―
Peter Sellars manages to create positive flashes here and there.
He tries to show on a psychological level ―
what daily life is like under such conditions.
And he does a great job with it.
We did not get our revenge, Yonas, ―
but we are saved.
It felt great when the audience came in.
We felt they listened to what we wanted to say.
During the last scene ―
many cried.
This opera opens up feelings.
Many can identify with the characters ―
and empathize with the events.
I'm hoping this opera will make people think.
You're exhausted, but you try to celebrate ―
and invite friends over.
Go out to dinner with family and so on.
To have some social life.
And pretty soon I start wondering ―
what will be my next project.
In memory of Per Nygren whose dedication and hard work made this documentary possible
Journalist Per Nygren died unexpectedly ―
after compiling 28 hours of material on Adriana Mater ―
with photographer Petter Oftedal.
Anna―Kaarina Kiviniemi and Antony Bentley edited the material into this film.
Subtitles: Jaana Wiik