Primadonnans död

Primadonnans död is a musical set in 1950s Malmö, centred on Stadsteatern and Ingmar Bergman's production of "The Merry Widow". It premiered at Nöjesteatern in 2020 and has since toured Scanian theatres. The cast includes Maria Stille, Pontus Stenkvist and Caroline Leander, who also plays piano. The narrative is interwoven with documentary footage on television.

Sigvard Pärsson plays Canasta with Ingmar Bergman one evening in 1954 at a theatre restaurant in Malmö. To escape his debts, Bergman allows Sigvard to stage his newly written operetta Primadonnans död at Intiman - while "The Merry Widow" is being performed at Storan. Sigvard has met singer Alma Johansson from Malmö's revue scene, and she takes the lead role as Viola Montparnasse. Together they complete the operetta with help from German arranger and conductor Magdalena Richter.

Script: Pontus Stenkvist and Katarina Sörenson. Music and lyrics: Pontus Stenkvist and Maria Stille. Arrangements: Caroline Leander. Set design: Katarina Sörenson. Graphics: Peter Lönegård. Film: Hampus Linder.