AND THEN THERE WERE NONE

A comedic opera thriller in three acts

Music and libretto by Mathias Halvorsen / Story and original play by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None is my second opera, and the worlds first opera based on a story by Agatha Christie. The opera was commissioned by Haugesund Kammeropera and Haugesund Teater, and premiered 27th of April 2023. Direction was by Morten Joachim Henriksen, with scenography by Gjermund Andresen. The libretto follows Christies play from 1939 quite closely, with only minor adjustments.

The story is maybe the quintessential horror crime story, and Christies original novel is still the best selling crime novel of all time. At the start of the opera a group of strangers are invited to an isolated island, when a storm hits. Very soon the guests start dying one by one, and they realise they are being hunted.

Using Christies original language is the basis for the tone of the play, which is very humorous and light - at least in the first act. The music tries to mirror the tension of the situation, and often tries to enhance the contrast between mundane conversation (Would you like a drink? Whisky? Sherry?), and the highly dramatic and virtuosic medium opera can be. Hence, I often describe the style of the piece as self-ironic opera.

As the opera progresses and the bodies pile up, the tone turn darker, and the music turns more dramatic and less frivolous. The material is denser, and the use of pastiche elements from the first act is gone (almost). Some of the characters and their vocal parts go through drastic changes, while others seems not too affected by the terrifying situation they all of a sudden find themselves in.

"Criminally powerful Agatha Christie-opera…… The ambitions are high, and the result is quite impressive….. The opera format intensifies the poignant atmosphere, but also amplifies the humor in the piece."

- Karen Frøsland Nystøyl, NRK

Duration: approx. 2h.

Act 1: 50min.

Act 2: 30min.

Act 3: 30min.

Characters:

Vera Claythorne: Mezzo

Kaptein Lombard: Tenor

Dr. Armstrong: Mezzo

Judge Wargrave: Barytone

Emily Brent: Soprano

Davies/Blore: Soprano

Rodgers: Barytone

Anthony Marston: Tenor

Mrs. Rogers: Mezzo

General Mackenzie: Barytone

The following characters can be combined, without alterations to the opera: Vera and Mrs. Rodgers, Rodgers and Marston, Emily Brent and Blore. The character of General Mackenzie was written with a non trained singer in mind, and was performed by a musician in the first production.

The premier production was directed by Morten Joachim Henriksen, with scenography was by Gjermund Andresen.

Staged and commissioned by Haugesund Kammeropera & Haugesund Teater, with permission from Agatha Christie Limited.

Cast:

Lene Rudbæk, Andre Søfteland, Kjell Magnus Sandve, Ane Skumsvoll, Mathilde Salmi Marijavara, Jørgen Backer, Janna Kari Kvinnesland, Nikolai Matthews.

All photos from this production by Motiejus Kurmis