About the work
Festen is a one-act English-language opera by Mark-Anthony Turnage, with a libretto by Lee Hall adapting Thomas Vinterberg's 1998 Dogme 95 film "The Celebration". It premiered on 11 February 2025 at the Royal Opera House in London, directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Edward Gardner.
Plot
At the celebration of patriarch Helge's 60th birthday in the summer of 1989, his son Christian publicly accuses his father of having abused him and his now-deceased twin sister Linda, triggering her suicide. The other guests initially disbelieve him, until Linda's suicide note confirms the accusation and Helge finally admits to it.
Cultural significance
Critics responded with strong enthusiasm, and Festen won Best New Opera Production at the 2025 Olivier Awards. A production at the Finnish National Opera is announced for 2026.