Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir
COMPOSER
MÖRSUGUR
poetic tale fyrir voice and audiovisuals
Winner of Gríman 2024, the Icelandic Performing Arts Award,
Singer of the Year
"Heiða’s rendition of this was remarkable: what emerged from her mouth was more than mere imitation, a complex form of vocalise – either sub- or super-expressive, depending on your perspective – continually tilting between dual impressions of bird and woman. Both musically and visually, Mörsugur was primarily about atmosphere and texture, with a strong emphasis on the natural world, though its earthy, folk intimacy took a surprising turn later on, entering a beat-laden stylised frenzy with strobes and swirling purple lights. It all made for a strange but unforgettable experience."
''Mörsugur'' is an award-winning solo opera that blends a stunning vocal performance with mesmerizing audiovisuals, taking audiences on a poetic journey through the enchanting folklore of Icelandic nature and the complexities of existence between light and darkness.
Mörsugur is an innovative opera for voice and audiovisuals, inspired by a poetic tale by Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir. Set against the backdrop of Iceland's folkloric nature, the work employs fragmented storytelling that frequently diverts to explore the journeys of mythic heroines, serving as the foundation for the narrator's voice. The piece is co-created by Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir, Heiða Árnadóttir, and Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir and delves into the nuances of existing between worlds—light and darkness, memory and the present. The performance is beautifully complemented by video art from Ásdís Birna Gylfadóttir.
Composed for Dark Music Days 2023, Mörsugur premiered in Norðurljós Hall at Harpa on January 25, 2023. The composer, lyricist, and performers received an artist grant to develop the piece, alongside funding from the Music Fund, which supported direction, costume design, and visual artistry for video production and promotional photography. Heiða Árnadóttir served as the resident artist for Dark Music Days for three years, and this performance marked her final contribution to the festival in that role.
The work features a nonlinear narrative that explores the contrasts inherent in the Icelandic landscape and its changing seasons. It navigates a wide range of emotions, showcasing diverse vocal styles—from pop to extended techniques. This fusion of Icelandic poetry, electronic and acoustic music, experimental sound, visual art, and theatrical elements creates a cohesive and powerful experience, rich in texture, atmosphere, and mood. The progression of the work hinges on transformations of emotion and contrasts.
The focus of Mörsugur lies in exploring experimental singing and body movement as narrative forms within the performing arts. This resulted in a creation process that engaged closely with Heiða, tailoring the work to leverage her strengths in interpretation and vocal expression. As the project neared completion, visual artist Ásdís Birna Gylfadóttir joined the team, contributing video elements that enhanced the stage design and collaborated on lighting. Dramaturg Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir also contributed to the lighting, while costume designer Heiða Eiríksdóttir crafted the costume, sewn by Katla Sigurðardóttir. This entire creative endeavor unfolded through close collaboration among the entire team. The lyrics were translated into English by Ragnheiður Erla, Árni Ísaksson, and Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir, with proofreading by Meg Matich.
"[...]Much more involving was Mörsugur, a piece of music theatre (described as a “poetic tale”) by Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir and Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir, given a tour de force solo performance by singer Heiða Árnadóttir. This time a translation was provided, offering an insight into the work’s mix of intimacy and myth, tapping into the country’s legends. Progressing more according to shifting emotional currents than a linear narrative, the performance was a marvellous way for Heiða to conclude her 3-year residency at the festival. She moved between close-up reverie, bathed in and transfixed by light, later (interacting with large video screens) appearing to touch the clouds. In one startlingly powerful sequence, having played imaginary bells with her fingers, she seemingly began to transform into a raven. Heiða’s rendition of this was remarkable: what emerged from her mouth was more than mere imitation, a complex form of vocalise – either sub- or super-expressive, depending on your perspective – continually tilting between dual impressions of bird and woman. Both musically and visually, Mörsugur was primarily about atmosphere and texture, with a strong emphasis on the natural world, though its earthy, folk intimacy took a surprising turn later on, entering a beat-laden stylised frenzy with strobes and swirling purple lights. It all made for a strange but unforgettable experience."
-Simon Cummings, 5:4
Mörsugur - selected scenes
Technical needs and other information:
Length: 50 minutes
Language: Show performed in Icelandic, accompanied by a small booklet with English translations
Technical needs for the show:
1 head microphone
Quadrophonic PA system
2 projectors and 2 projector screens
AER box (or similar) + microphone + XLR cable
1 spot lights
2 moveable lights
(Strobe light)
(Fog machine)
The team
Performer: Heiða Árnadóttir
Text and composer: Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir
Composer: Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir
Video art: Ásdís Birna Gylfadóttir
Stage and costumes: Heiða Eiríksdóttir and Katla Sigurðardóttir
Composer and poet
Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir
Ragnheiður Erla Björnsdóttir is a composer, poet and vocal artist. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the Artistic Research Center at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Ragnheiður holds a MA in Creative Writing from the University of Iceland and a BA in Composition from the Icelandic Academy of the Arts. She is a member of the art group Hlökk, the audiovisual collective SÚL_VAD, and the Viennese artist space Die Labile Botschaft. Her practice centres interdisciplinary research on voice through embodiment and sustainability. Working with de- and reconstructing techniques, she explores and forges webs of connectivity with storytelling in unsung places. Ragnheiður's pieces have been presented internationally in various forms, ranging from hidden sound installations in a forest to theatrical vocal performances.
Vocalist/performer
Heiða Árnadóttir
The Icelandic singer Heiða Árnadóttir has in her career emphasized on the performance of modern music, folk, jazz, experimental as well as lied music. She has premiered many pieces of Icelandic composers such as Gunnar Karel Másson, Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir, Þórunn Gréta Sigurðardóttir, Þóranna Björnsdóttir, Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson. and Þórunn Björnsdóttir. In addition to numerous concerts in Iceland, where she has premiered various compositions with Ensemble Adapter and Caput, Heiða has also performed in Holland, Belgium, France, India, Sweden and Denmark. She has also performed during Nordic Music Days, Iceland Airwaves, Skálholt Summer Festival, Siglufjörður Folk Festival, Reykjavík Jazz Festival and various foreign festivals. Heiða has composed songs and lyrics and is the singer in the band Mógil, which has issued four Cds. Their CD „Ró“ was nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards in 2008 but their newest CD „Adventa“ , based on Gunnar Gunnarsson´s famous novel of the same name, was issued by the German publishing company Winter and Winter in 2019.
Composer
Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir
Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir (1988- ) is a composer, pianist and jazz vocalist. She received her BA in composition from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2014 and her MA in composition from the same institution in 2018. Ásbjörg is engaged with various musical activities. In addition to her composition career, she conducts a children's choir, teaches music theory and piano. Her music has been performed by Caput, Hljómeyki, Duo Harpverk, Elektra Ensemble, Reykjavík Cathedral Choir and IMPRA. Her music has been performed at the Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland; by Duo Harpverk in 2012 and by Foot in the Door ensemble from The Hartt School (University of Hartford) in 2015. Ásbjörg has also worked on other musical projects such as recordings, arrangements and musical research. In the summer of 2013 and 2018 she undertook a research project on; the music of Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson and jazz in Iceland, funded by the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund. The research project about jazz in Iceland is in collaboration with Þorbjörg Daphne Hall and Oxford University Press. Ásbjörg released a book with 12 of her new songs for children’s choir in April 2019.