Oslo Opera. The main auditorium. Architects: Snøhetta. Photo: Helene BinetOslo Opera. The marble roof. Architects: Snøhetta. Photo: Ivan Brodey

White casket
by the sea.


Casket of salt.
Casket of sugar.
Casket of bone.


The brown snake
in the white casket.
Glides in oil, makes not a sound.


A casket of bone, salt
and sugar
by the water.


Arias.
High.
Low.
In the snake acoustics.
Venom gathered
in a sun.


The sun
hangs under the ceiling above us.
Clean light free from venom.


Undress.
Bathe in the sun as you sing.
The sun gives light to the whole
stage and the whole hall.
The tenor breaks
the bread asunder
The bass throws the bread to the people.
Soprano looking to the snake.
Alto looking to the snake.


The snake eats no bread.


White casket
by the sea.


A brown snake
in the white casket.


Now shut your mouth.
You will eat, and no singing.


White casket
by the sea.


A brown snake
in the white casket.


After a night
at the opera
the mind is
glossed with oil.


Concentrated oil
quiet.


After a night
at the opera
the walls
are
glossed with oil.


Oil where the snake glides without
sound.


Oil in the
dark churches:


Oil in Urnes


Oil in Heddal


Oil in Ulvik


Oil in these walls.


Oil in Uvdal


Oil in Røldal


Oil in Hopperstad


Oil in Rødven


Oil in these walls.


Oil in Kaupanger


Oil in Stange


Oil in Reinli


Oil in Nore


Oil in these walls.


Oil in Bø


Oil in Mære


Oil in these walls.


Oil in the dark churches


Oil in these walls.


Nicholas Møllerhaug


Facts:

Commissioned by Arkitektur N on the occasion of the opening of the Oslo Opera House, April 2008.
English translation by Ingerid Helsing Almaas