Gagarin - A space opera

“Gagarin –a space opera” was initiated by composer Hakon Berge. NRK responded favourably to his idea and financed the project. The libretto is by famous science-fictionwriters Bing & Bringsvaerd. It was premiered in NRK on April 12th 1991, the 30th anniversary of the first manned flight into space, by cosmonaut Jury Gagarin.The opera is constructed along three lines:1. The flight itself2. The flight in 1968 with a Mig-15 airplane in which Gagarin crashed and died, and3. The emotional and philosophical impact the flight had, being a dream come true all the way from the myth of Icarus.The director, Morten Thomte, has blended stockshots and model shots in a very effective way, making it a true television experience, thus trying to answer the composer’s question: what is only known to man through the medium of television? Space flights.The reviews were very favourable, pointing out it’s unique television qualities and strange mixing of dramadocumentary and opera.