Overview
Synopsis
Based on the ‘Heimskringla’ saga by Snorri Sturluson, King Harald’s Saga tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge, during the Norwegian Invasion of England.
Earl Tostig, from England, betrays his country and persuades King Harald of Norway to invade. In a dream, Harald received a message from his dead brother, St Olaf, warning him not to go to England. King Harald is not afraid, and leads his ships into battle. When they arrive at Stamford Bridge, the English army is awaiting them and thousands of Norwegian soldiers are killed. King Harald lies amongst the dead.
Judith Weir’s short opera King Harald’s Saga comprises three acts, in which eight characters, a chorus, and a narrator, are all played by one singer, who performs unaccompanied.
Show Information
- Music
- Judith Weir
- Libretto
- Judith Weir
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Snorri Sturluson’s Heimskringla
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1979
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set, Period
- Time & Place
- 1066, Battle of Stamford Bridge, England, Yorkshire, Norway, Oslo
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- The Music Sales Group
- Ideal For
- All-Female Cast, Professional Opera, Star Vehicle Female, College/University, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
Songs
Act One
- Spoken Introduction
- Aria ‘I, Harald, by the grace of almighty God’ - Harald
- Fanfare - Harald
- Aria ‘Hail, Take, Kill’ - Tostig
Act 2
- Spoken Introduction
- Aria: ‘Sleep Harald sleep on’ - St Olaf
- Aria: ‘Put out to sea’ - Harald
- Duet: ‘Farewell, farewell’ - Elizabeth, Thora
Act 3
- Spoken Introduction
- Chorus: ‘We gladly leave for Harald’ - The Norwegian Army
- Recitative: ‘O Sit! O Harald’ - Messenger
- Aria: ‘Side by side the armies fought’ - Soldier
Epilogue
- Spoken Introduction
- Recitative ‘I have seen this all before’ - Icelandic Sage
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.