Frøy Hovland Holtbakk

When his friend, blinded by love, is driven to an act of terrorism, the emperor has to learn the personal cost of political power. Dealing with the appalling jealousies, ambitions and love affairs during the reign of the emperor, La clemenza di Tito has eerie parallels with our own era in Bergen National Opera's new production. With its excellent young all-Norwegian cast, Mozart's last opera asks the deeply relevant question: who is the leader we want in times of crisis?

Maths teacher Claire hears a mysterious low-frequency noise and the pollution is driving her crazy. The constant ‘hum’ drives her away from her family and towards others who also hear the same all-consuming sound. This support group offers compassion but what lies behind their cult-like rituals? Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek's brand new opera is a thriller about social rejection, the abuse of power and echo chambers. Based on an original story by Jordan Tannahill, The Listeners is inspired by an identified phenomenon, the ‘global hum’. Grammy-nominated Mazzoli was the first woman to be commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and has already successfully collaborated with librettist Vavrek, with whom she wrote the opera Breaking the Waves.