New Opera Dimensions: Bahar Pars World Premiere with “Vem fan gillar opera?” at Folkoperan

On October 5, 2026, the foyer of Folkoperan in Stockholm will host the world premiere of “Vem fan gillar opera?” – an original music theatre piece created, written, and directed by Bahar Pars. The production is both a declaration of love for the art of opera and a reflection on the genre boundaries’ potential to touch even those outside its traditions.

Here, Pars challenges the frameworks that often surround opera and explores why and how this form of expression can speak deeply. The plot revolves around Aisha, a teenager from Barkarby, whose life is turned upside down when she is struck by an overwhelming and beautiful operatic voice – an experience that sets off an emotional journey through memories, identity, and opera’s vast emotional landscape.

Meeting Between Worlds: Tradition, Myth and Everyday Life

At the center of the staging stands the interplay between theatre and opera – amplified by the foyer’s intimate setting. Nina Rashid portrays Aisha and guides the audience through shifting inner landscapes, memories, and the present. By her side is opera soprano Alexandra Büchel, in the role of the enigmatic Queen of the Night/Jinnet. Büchel’s character is both a mythical figure of power and a symbol of transformative female strength; her voice is both allure and challenge and propels Aisha’s development forward.

The music is expressly composed to push boundaries, blending works by Mozart and Händel with the international pop hit "Aïcha" by Khaled. The latter is of special significance in the story as it links Aisha’s family history with opera’s broader emotional register, and illustrates the meeting between heritage and the contemporary. By blurring the lines between musical genres, the production opens up a lively dialogue between the historical and the modern.

The soundscape is further framed by live music: pianist Maria Rostotsky and violinist Lovisa Ehrenkrona create a sense of presence where every note matters. The artistic team behind the production also includes Behnaz Aram (costume), Linus Fellbom (lighting design), and Tuvalisa Rangström (dramaturgy), ensuring that the visual and narrative dimensions are as dynamic as the music.

“Vem fan gillar opera?” runs for 55 minutes and is aimed at the general public as well as high school students. Pars’s ambition is to make opera’s emotional power accessible to larger and younger audiences. By performing close to the audience in the foyer, the intimacy and direct contact is enhanced, symbolizing the openness Pars wishes to convey – regardless of background or familiarity with opera.

The world premiere on October 5, 2026, marks a significant event for Folkoperan and Swedish music theatre, and is a powerful testament to opera’s ongoing relevance and the courage to explore questions of belonging, origin, and emotional truth.