hinÓperan, a new Icelandic opera company whose mission is to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people on the operatic stage, reached out to us to discuss a bold new move. They are bringing 27, a piece by Composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist Royce Vavrek, to Iceland. The subject of the opera is the love story of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.
We reached out with questions before the premiere, October 30. We’ll follow up when we get to see the production.
Grapevine: What is the tradition of opera in Iceland? How often is it performed here?
hinÓperan: There has been a strong tradition of performing operas in Iceland since the founding of the Icelandic Opera in 1980. However, in the last few years there has not been a running opera company in Iceland. Our National Opera was finally founded this year so the future is definitely very bright.
During these few years with no running opera company the grassroots field in Reykjavík has done some amazing things, performing traditional operas as well as new Icelandic pieces, in smaller settings, for example at Borgarleikhúsið. They are usually supported by Sviðslistasjóður and Tónlistarsjóður, like our production is.
Grapevine: You’ve noted this is in English. Has it been in the Italian in the past, or is there an Icelandic-language opera tradition? Is there an archive you would recommend?
hinÓperan: 27 is written in English, by an American composer and a Canadian librettist, using Gertrude Stein’s own words. Operas are usually performed in their original language, and Italian is most common for the most famous grand operas. Though it has become common in Iceland in the last few years to translate operas into Icelandic, we have chosen not to do so, both to show respect to Gertrude Stein’s writing but also to welcome non-native speakers who have limited choices of theatre in English to attend. There will be an Icelandic translation running on a screen during the performance.
Grapevine: This opera discusses Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, two famous expatriates from the Lost Generation. This interview is in an English-language paper in Iceland. Do you think non-native speakers might identify with the subject matter?
hinÓperan: Absolutely! There is a lot in this opera that everyone can identify with. But additionally, Gertrude and Alice were expats in Paris, and that comes with its own set of challenges. Non-natives in Iceland will definitely be able to understand them well. They were surrounded by people from many different countries, which as an Icelander living in Norway I am as well. We seem to find each other and understand what it is like to be a bit different than the natives. That’s sometimes where we connect. I would say that applies to Gertrude and Alice as well.
“Lost Generation” is a term coined by Gertrude Stein herself, describing the young writers who came of age during World War I. I would not say that she is a part of the Lost Generation, however.
27 premieres at Litla svið (The Small Stage) at the Reykjavík City Theatre (Borgarleikhúsið) on October 30, 2026.