Which Witch

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Which Witch is a musical written by Norwegian Singer/composers Benedicte Adrian and Ingrid Bjørnov.
They released their debut album "Første Akt" in 1980 under the name "Dollie", which was changed to Dollie de Luxe in 1984, for the release of an eponymous album.

Dollie de Luxe attracted massive attention at Expo 1986 in Canada with their blend of classical numbers and rock hits, which had been created for their album "Rock vs. Opera", released the same year. Their success with this material caused the 1987 Bergen International Arts Festival to commission a musical in their trademark musical style.

The storyline for "Which Witch" was found in the witch finder's manual Malleus Maleficarum, and the original script was written by Adrian and Bjørnov's manager Ole A. Sørlie. The lyrics of the early concert versions were written by Helen Hampton and Roger Avenstrup, in collaboration with Adrian, Bjørnov and Sørli.

The first performance was in Grieghallen, Bergen on May 27, 1987, with Adrian playing the female lead, and Bjørnov as musical director.

The material was constantly developed throughout a period of eight years, resulting in several national and international tours presenting continuously updated concert versions of the musical.

The Operamusical Which Witch opened at the Piccadilly Theatre in London on October 22, 1992 and ran for 76 performances. The London version was followed by a hugely successful Norwegian tour, and further performances of a Norwegian version in Holmenkollen, Oslo during the summer of 1994.

Which Witch has, since its premiere in May 1987, been performed a total of 142 times in concert version in the following countries: Norway, Canada, USA, the Netherlands, England, Spain, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. The total attendance figure is approx. 276,000.

[edit] Recordings

Which Witch- the original studio album (released 1987). Which Witch på Slottsfjellet live concert double album (released 1990). Which Witch - London Cast Album (released 1993). Total record sales are in excess of 110,000 units.

Licenced productions have been staged in several European countries.

[edit] Synopsis

"Maria Vittoria, foster-daughter of an influential Roman family, has fallen in love with her German tutor, Daniel, recently made a bishop of the Catholic Church. Maria's foster-father wants to marry her off to a German merchant banker, but the headstrong Maria has other plans.

After causing a scandal at the Vatican the lovers are obliged to leave Rome. Daniel takes Maria back to his family home in Heidelberg where she meets Anna Regina, his possessive elder sister. The illicit love affair conflicts with Anna's ambitions for her brother's career, and when Daniel openly declares his commitment to Maria, Anna has to take action. Daniel mysteriously falls ill on the following day and remains in a deep sleep.

Anna Regina then accuses Maria of having cast a spell on Daniel. The townspeople turn on Maria and she is imprisoned for witchcraft. A few weeks later, Cardinal Gonzaga, the Inquisitor, arrives from Rome to cure the Bishop and prosecute his mistress. Daniel recovers and for a while accepts Anna Regina's allegations against the woman he loves. Meanwhile, Maria is tortured but insists on her innocence; without a confession she cannot be sentenced.

Maria manages to escape from jail, but instead of fleeing Heidelberg to save her life, she seeks out Daniel. Reunited in the church they have a brief moment of happiness together.

In a frenzy of witch-fever the townspeople are searching the streets for Maria. Soon Gonzaga arrives with soldiers. He announces that Maria, by escaping, has confirmed her guilt and must die.

The pyre is being prepared outside..."

[edit] External links