Gustavia – the story of the unknown prince of Sweden

»Badin's life story is an incredibly important part of Swedish history that deserves to be highlighted«, says director Amir Chamdin. »He was a complex person, who was born into difficult circumstances but later became a prince in one of Europe's most powerful families – a journey that can give us a new perspective, and hopefully inspire and strengthen our society today. To get the opportunity to create a ballet about Gustav Badin at the Royal Swedish Opera is of course very cool, especially considering that for several years, Badin danced together with the French troupe and Louis Gallodier, who created the Royal Swedish Ballet.«

It is only in recent years that Gustav Badin has been noticed for his historical importance. In 2023, a memorial stone was erected at Katarina Church cemetery in Stockholm, where his full name Adolf Ludwig Gustaf Fredrik Albrecht Couschi is engraved. The ballet Gustavia depicts Gustav Badin's life within the Swedish Royal Court and as a dancer at the end of the 18th century, at the time when the Royal Swedish Opera and Royal Swedish Ballet were founded. It is a depiction of outsiderness, brotherhood and rivalry – but also a story of love against all odds, between Gustav Badin and Princess Sofia Albertina. The secret relationship between them is a key part of both the story and the choreography, created by Pär Isberg.

»Outsiderness has always been central to my stage works: Pinocchio, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Dream of Swan Lake and Pippi Longstockings«, says Pär Isberg, choreographer. »It has been an honor to highlight Badin's life story and destiny together with Amir and to work on what was originally a film script. Being able to interpret the story of Badin into a choreographic work for the big stage with the expressive form and essence of the dance has deeply touched us in the artistic team.«

Gustavia – the story of the unknown prince of Sweden is the autumn's main ballet premiere at the Royal Swedish Opera, with magnificent music by, among others, Beethoven, Chevalier de Saint-Georges and Schubert, performed by the Royal Swedish Orchestra.

Link to film about the idea behind the ballet Gustavia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXv0kYUP_iU

Director and librettist Amir Chamdin is a film director, most recently with Börje – the journey of a legend about the life of ice hockey player Börje Salming and with Cornelis, a feature film about artist Cornelis Vreeswijk. He also has a background as a music video director and as a musician in the band Infinite Mass.

Earlier this year, choreographer Pär Isberg was awarded the Royal medal Litteris et Artibus “For outstanding artistic contributions in Swedish and international dance art”. Pär was most recently active at the Royal Swedish Opera with his immensely popular version of The Nutcracker, one of the Opera's true long-runners, with over 350 performances at the house.

Scenography by Cinzia Lo Fazio, who has worked with both stage art and film production with directors such as Ettore Scola and Steven Spielberg, as well as with the American blockbusters Angels & Demons and Red Notice. Cinzia was for many years studio manager of one of the leading European film studios, Cinecittà in Italy, and has a long-standing collaboration as scenographer with the Kenneth MacMillan Foundation.

The costume design is by Selam Fessahaye, the award-winning fashion designer whose creations have been shown around the world and worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Swedish Crown Princess Victoria. Selam has won prizes at the Elle gala and the Swedish NK gala, and she is one of the prominent figures in the Scandinavian fashion world.

Lighting design by Tobias Rylander, who is currently involved with the light show for Beyoncé's world tour and with Loreen's winning performance in last year's Eurovision Song Contest. Tobias has also previously created lighting design and set design for the ballet Cinderella at the Royal Swedish Opera, which will have a revival on stage before Christmas.

The dramaturge is David Nzinga, film producer and actor who, among other things, produced the films about Maria Wern, based on crime author Anna Jansson's best-selling novels, and as an actor he has worked in film as well as on the stage (Dramaten and Unga Klara).

DIRECTOR & LIBRETTO Amir Chamdin
CHOREOGRAPHY Pär Isberg
MUSIC Opeth, Franz Schubert, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Johannes Brahms, Ludwig van Beethoven
CONDUCTOR Philippe Béran
SET DESIGN Cinzia Lo Fazio
COSTUME DESIGN Selam Fessahaye
LIGHTING DESIGN Tobias Rylander
DRAMATURG David Nzinga

Featuring the Royal Swedish Ballet and the Royal Swedish Orchestra.

Tickets on sale from May 2 on operan.se.