1984

When lies become the norm and history is rewritten in real time - who remembers what the truth looks like? In 1984, people live under constant surveillance in a stream of alternative facts and false news. Freedom doesn't always disappear through violence. Sometimes it vanishes when we stop resisting.

Big Brother controls a society where the Thought Police crush every attempt at free thinking. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he erases and rewrites history to match the Party's version of reality - yet longs for truth and love. In Julia he finds both. Their attempt to live outside the system has terrible consequences, and when love is forbidden, every touch becomes an act of rebellion.

The opera is based on George Orwell's 1949 novel and is composed by Lorin Maazel (1930-2014), with libretto by J.D. McClatchy and Thomas Meehan. It premiered at Covent Garden in 2005. Gothenburg Opera's production is a touring production from Theater Regensburg, which was named Theater of the Year in Germany in 2025.

From age 15. Sung in English.