Stardom, Songs and Scandals

Two of Sweden’s most beloved opera stars reveal the secrets of opera in a candid conversation with Anelia Kadieva Jonsson.

What happens behind opera’s glittering façade when stardom collides with scandal? Rickard Söderberg and Malena Ernman share memories, secrets, and unexpected stories from a world where the drama behind the scenes often surpasses what happens on stage. What unfolds when several colorful personalities come together? They speak about passion and prestige, the power of song, and the path between opera and crossover — where laughter and seriousness meet in rarely heard revelations.

Information

Date: Tuesday 4 August

Time: 17:00

Location: Birgit Nilsson Museum

Artists

Stardom, Songs and Scandals- Medverkande

Rickard Söderberg
tenor, director and well-known TV personality, affiliated with Malmö Opera where he has performed many roles and serves as mentor at the Opera Academy. He is also a driving force behind Kammaropera Syd, a board member of the Birgit Nilsson Society, sing-along leader and compère, and recipient of the Swedish Wagner Society scholarship.

Malena Ernman
international opera star and popular artist, who has sung leading roles on major stages across Europe and performed with conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen. She also regularly partners with Ecstatic Ensemble and the baroque ensemble, L’Arpeggiata.

Anelia Kadieva Jonsson
is a trained director who has worked in the opera world for over 30 years, both in Sweden and Europe. She wrote the libretto for The Snow Queen (Malmö Opera, Royal Swedish Opera), has been editor of SVT’s Kontrapunkt and a presenter on SR P2. From the 2025/26 season she is dramaturge at Gothenburg Opera.

Tickets

Booking information

Tickets for this event are booked through Julius ticket service.

Buy Ticket

1 ticket category: SEK 0

– Groups of more than 10 people can be booked via 046-2804550 or biljettbokning@juliusbiljettservice.se

– Wheelchair / companion seats can be booked via call center 0775-700 400

Information about your visit

Plan your visit and make the most of your opera evening. Here you’ll find all the practical information you need, from timings and transport to tips on how best to enjoy summer on the Bjäre Peninsula. Let Båstad and the Bjäre Peninsula welcome you with open arms.

Festival