Festen (opera)

The opera is an adaption of the 1998 black comedy-drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg, the first of the Dogme 95 films. The film won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. Though Turnage had "loved" the film, he did not think of it as operatic material until he saw a stage production of The Hunt, another Vinterberg film. ^[1]

The world premiere performance took place at the Royal Opera House in London on 11 February 2025. The production was directed by Richard Jones and was designed by Miriam Buether.^[2]

In 2026, the opera run at the Finnish National Opera.^[3]

Festen follows a wealthy Danish family gathering to celebrate patriarch Helge’s 60th birthday. The events take place in the summer of 1989, in rural Denmark. During the dinner, his eldest son Christian publicly accuses Helge of sexually abusing him and his late twin sister Linda, whose trauma led to her recent suicide. Despite interruptions, Christian goes on to accuse his father of causing Linda's death. Helge responds with denials and apparent bafflement. The other guests are silent and mostly disbelieving. Another, more traditional, toast is given by an older family member. Christian's sister Helena brings her black boyfriend, Gbatokai to the party and he is racially abused by Michael, another son of Helge's. Some other guests join Michael in singing the racist song. Helge’s guilt is revealed as Linda's suicide note is read to the guests. Helge finally admits to the abuse. Michael then beats Helge physically in the kitchen whilst the party continues elsewhere. At breakfast the next morning, Helge enters. Some guests greet him, but Michael tells him to leave.^[4]