Hästoperan (The Horse Opera) is a newly written experimental opera created by librettist Anna Nygren, composer Arvid Kraft, and choreographer and director Alica Tserkovnaja.

The work brings together contemporary dance, epic storytelling and electroacoustic music in an operatic form. It is performed inside the arena at Orlångens Ridsällskap, where the space becomes not only a venue but part of the work's world.

The story grows from the relationship between human and horse, exploring love, loyalty and otherness. In a dystopian world where nature has been displaced and horses have been driven away from humankind, the twins Jackie and Candy are born: Jackie as a human, Candy as half human and half horse. Their powerful bond is tested on a journey through defiance, longing, hope and despair.

The audience sits close to the arena's sand, light, sounds and scents, in a place where people and horses already work side by side. Music, movement and story emerge in the very space where the performance unfolds, immediate and tangible.

Photographs from the performances on 28-30 August 2026.

Photography: Bartosz Wozniak

Hästoperan was created by librettist Anna Nygren, composer Arvid Kraft, and director and choreographer Alica Tserkovnaja, and brought to life by a wider artistic team of singers, dancers, musicians, technicians, costume designers and producers.

Select a team member to read a short biography.

The performances of Hästoperan on 28-30 August 2026 were made possible with support from the Swedish Arts Council, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Region Stockholm, Huddinge Municipality, 2BK Arkitekter, KAD, the Helge Ax:son Johnson Foundation, the Society of Swedish Composers and Svensk Musik. The project was also carried out in collaboration with Orlångens Ridsällskap, Balettakademien Stockholm, Transit Kulturinkubator, ABF Stockholm and JILLAT Sámi Dance Centre.