The Norwegian National Opera

The Norwegian National Opera
Video by
Ulver
Released28 November 2011[1]
Recorded31 July 2010
GenreExperimental, electronic, ambient
Length88:02
LabelJester Records, Kscope
DirectorErlend Gjertsen
Ulver chronology
Wars of the Roses
(2011) 		The Norwegian National Opera
(2011) 		Childhood's End
(2012)
The Norwegian National Opera
Live album by
Ulver
Released20 April 2013
Recorded31 July 2010
GenreExperimental, electronic, ambient
Length79:45
LabelJester Records, Kscope
Ulver chronology
Wars of the Roses
(2011) 		The Norwegian National Opera
(2013) 		Childhood's End
(2012)

The Norwegian National Opera is a concert film by Norwegian Experimental electronica band Ulver. Directed by Erlend Gjertsen, the film was issued on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in November 2011[1] via Jester Records and Kscope. The film documents Ulver’s performance at The Norwegian National Opera on 31 July 2010. The concert was later issued as a CD/DVD set, and double LP. The film holds an 18 rating from the BBFC for containing strong sex and bloody images,[2] however, no cuts were made to the performance.[3]

The concert also included performances from artist Ian Johnstone, “welcoming everyone as Mr. Ark Todd in a static dance under a levitating moon, and parting with a pillar, on the skeleton legs of a horse, pale and naked as nature intended. The two pieces were accompanied by piano prepared by Daniel and the sound of a sleeping beast from Kris' pad.”[4]

Until recently Ulver had remained exclusively within the studio. This changed in May 2009 when the band accepted an invitation to appear at the Norwegian Festival of Literature.[5] The success of this gig lead to them embarking on a string of other live performances in 2009 and 2010, selling out prestigious venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Volksbühne in Berlin and La Cigale in Paris before they returned to their homeland for their performance at The Norwegian Opera House.[6][7]

Ulver were the first band outside the established Norwegian music scene to be invited to play at the Opera House.

On 9 September 2011 a trailer was released by Kscope.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Ulver: 'The Norwegian National Opera' Dvd, Blu Ray Detailed – Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth. October 23, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "ULVER – THE NORWEGIAN NATIONAL OPERA – British Board of Film Classification". British Board of Film Classification. October 19, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  3. ^ "ULVER – THE NORWEGIAN NATIONAL OPERA – British Board of Film Classification". British Board of Film Classification. October 19, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Rygg, Kristoffer (2011). The Norwegian National Opera (booklet). Ulver. London: Kscope.
  5. ^ "ULVER Performs Live For First Time In 15 Years; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. May 31, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Ulver's 'The Norwegian National Opera' Blu-ray and DVD". Kscope. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "ULVER LIVE IN CONCERT WITH SPECIAL GUESTS IAN JOHNSTONE & CHRISTIAN FENNESZ". Ulver. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  8. ^ "Ulver – The Norwegian National Opera (DVD / Blu-ray trailer)". Kscope. September 9, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.