In the version we were here presented with, a fine recitation was given by Didier Sandre, who made extracts from the story vivid to the audience. They also got a feeling of the complex story about Peer Gynt. The orchestra was conducted by Yoel Levi
. Violin soloist was Ann-Estelle Méedouze and a brilliant viola player (navn?)

These two gave us an insight to the folk-tunes which are usually played by the Hardanger-fiddle, the traditional Norwegian violin. Although this special sound was missing, the solo numbers were well played. 

It became rather awkward that after the reading in French, that the fine soprano Sarah Pagin sang the two famous songs by Solveig in German. Her pronounciaton was so unclear that the audience may well have mistaken it for Norwegian. 

Furthermore – the program states Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg although the play is written by Henrik Ibsen, the famous playwright
. However the extracts presented were not mentioned in the program, nor in which order we were listening to them. Not very professional! 

Those of us who know Peer Gynt, could follow the proceedings, but to fail to list the progress of the performance is a bad mistake. 

The evening began well with the Introduction incorporating the two Hardanger-fiddle pieces, followed by Ingrid´s Lament where Peer abducts Ingrid on her wedding-day. There followed The Death of Aase, Morning Mood, Arabian Dance with ”oriental” percussion and Anitra´s Dance beautifully played by the string section. Then Sarah Pagin is Solveig´s Song (alas in German) Peer´s Return and Solveig´s Lullaby. 

We enjoyed the performance/concert although too much emphasis was on the text, which became a bit tedious. In spite of Didier Sandre´s energy, the music seemed less important. In fact, the two orchestral suites (with smaller additions like Solveig´s Lullaby) can stand on their own. The performed version became rather strange.