International Star Power and a Swedish Debut in Puccini’s La Bohème at Opera på Skäret 2026
Opera på Skäret can now reveal the soloists who will take part in this summer’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème in 2026. After approximately 500 international applications, the soloists for the summer 2026 production have now been selected. The ensemble includes both internationally established singers and a Swedish professional debut.
The soloists are selected by a jury following auditions. At the audition sessions in November 2025, just over 200 singers were invited to live auditions after an extensive international application process.
“This year’s ensemble perfectly reflects what Opera på Skäret aims to be: an international meeting place where artists from around the world gather around a great masterpiece and create something unique together. It is a great pleasure to bring together singers from the international opera scene while also presenting a Swedish debut,” says Alexander Niclasson, Artistic Director of Opera på Skäret.
The stage and musical leadership team consists of American director Jennifer Williams, who is making her first production at Opera på Skäret, and Italian conductor Lorenzo Coladonato, who has previously participated in several productions here.
Mimi
In the role of Mimi, we present Swedish debutante Anna Hedendahl, who studies at Stockholm Academy of the Arts. Opera på Skäret is proud to be the stage where she makes her professional debut.
The role is shared with Ukrainian soprano Kseniya Bakhritdinova, who previously appeared in Un ballo in Maschera (The Masked Ball) and Turandot at Opera på Skäret and has become an audience favorite.
Rodolfo
In the role of Rodolfo, we will have the well-established South Korean tenor Ji-Min Park. He has previously performed the role at opera houses including Sydney and Royal Opera House (Covent Garden).
The role is shared with young South Korean tenor Marco Lee, who has debuted as Rodolfo in Germany and is predicted to have a brilliant international career.
Marcello
Marcello is portrayed by Georgian baritone Otar Shishinashvili, active at the opera in Tbilisi, and Jung Jaehong from South Korea, who is active in Italy.
Musetta
Musetta will be sung by Swedish rising star Maria Kjellsson, who makes her first appearance at Opera på Skäret, and Spanish soprano Laura del Rio, who makes her Swedish debut with this production.
Other Roles
Schaunard is sung by German baritone Maximilian Krummen, who has been active for several years at Staatstheater Braunschweig.
The bass role of Colline is performed by Finnish bass Niklas Spångberg, a freelance singer active on Finnish opera stages.
In the roles of Benoît and Alcindoro, we hear Swedish baritone John Kinell, who makes his first production at Opera på Skäret.
Orchestra and Chorus
Opera på Skäret’s orchestra consists of freelance musicians established in Swedish musical scene and is assembled by concertmaster Jan Stigmer.
The Chorus is Opera på Skäret’s own and is led by chorus master Jonatan Lönnqvist and répétiteur/coach Mats Johansson.
Set Design: Sven Östberg
Costume Design: Alex Eriksson and Tina Akkaya
Hair and Makeup Design: Stephanie Metzner
Performance Period
La Bohème premieres on July 25 and 26, 2026, and is performed in the original Italian language with Swedish and English subtitles.
All performance dates:
July 25, 26 and 30
August 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 22 and 23, 2026
For further information and tickets:
For more information, contact:
Sten Niclasson, CEO and Founder, Phone: +46 70 664 49 47, E-mail: sten@operapaskaret.se
Alexander Niclasson, Artistic Leader and Stage Director, Phone: +46 73 516 61 23, E-mail: alexander@operapaskaret.se
Ia Lundqvist Pettersson, Communications Manager, Phone: +46 70 736 65 35, E-mail: ia@landetreklam.se
Opera på Skäret is run by Kulturcentrum Ljusnarsberg, a non-profit foundation whose goal is to create an international opera house at Skäret and contribute to the development of the municipality's and region's cultural life. Opera på Skäret collaborates with the Swedish Arts Council, Ljusnarsberg municipality, the Regional Association, Örebro municipality and the private sponsor The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. www.operapaskaret.se
