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

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Harald, Earl Tostig, St Olaf, Elizabeth, Thora, Messenger, Soldier, Icelandic Sage, Norwegian Army

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

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

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Scenes

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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

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.