Grieg's Peer Gynt

Theatre music for Henrik Ibsen

Grieg's Peer Gynt is known for the two orchestral suites with highlights from this composition, which were composed by the composer himself. These are often performed somewhat sweetly. But the complete theatre music that this Norwegian wrote on behalf of fellow countryman and playwright Henrik Ibsen has no less than 26 numbers, with soloists and choir. It becomes clear how characteristic, contrasting and theatrical this music actually is.

Theatrical version in the Saturday Matinee

Although Grieg wrote mainly for piano, this larger musical form suited him perfectly, although he might have preferred to compose an opera instead of separate numbers. Ibsen's epic play Peer Gynt (pronounced: Pèr Guunt) can perhaps best be described as the Scandinavian Faust. We follow the boastful and arrogant protagonist on his journey through life, during which he also visits Morocco and Egypt, and finally arrives at a certain insight into himself. To emphasize the theatrical power of this music, the music performance will be combined with text and direction by the Flemish company Het Banket and actor Filip Jordens in the Matinee.