Tidskriften Opera

Tidskriften Opera is a Swedish specialist magazine and cultural journal dedicated to opera and music drama. Founded in 1978, it is described as the only specialist magazine of its kind in the Nordic region. The publication began under the name Musikdramatik (1978–1981), was renamed Tidskriften Musikdramatik (1981–2002), and has been published as Tidskriften Opera since 2002. It is issued five times a year with a circulation of approximately 4,000 copies. The magazine is owned and published by Tidskriften Opera ekonomisk förening, an economic association. The editor-in-chief and responsible publisher is Sören Tranberg. Since 2014 the magazine has received production support from the Swedish Arts Council (Statens kulturråd), and during 2013–2015 it also received marketing support from the Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation. Tidskriften Opera addresses both dedicated opera enthusiasts and readers with a newly awakened interest in the art form. Its editorial profile combines topicality and history, breadth and depth. Content includes interviews, portraits and essays, as well as reviews of DVDs, CDs, books and opera performances in Sweden, the Nordic countries and the wider world. While the magazine previously covered musical theatre regularly, its focus today is on opera. According to its own readership survey, the magazine's readership is characterised by a high level of education and active cultural consumption, with slightly more women than men among its readers, and very high ratings for reading value and overall quality. The magazine is closely associated with the annual Operapriset (Opera Prize), awarded since the 1986–87 season. The winner is chosen by a vote among the magazine's readers from four nominated candidates. The prize consists of SEK 25,000 and the statuette Eldslinga, created and signed by silversmith Sigurd Persson. Long-time sponsor AB Volvo was later replaced from 2015 by the Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation. A separate Musikalpriset (Musical Prize) was instituted in 2009 with SJ as partner and awarded for four years.

Tidskriften Opera traces its origins to 1978, when the publication was founded under the name Musikdramatik. It was the first Swedish journal dedicated specifically to opera and music drama, and it remains the only specialist magazine of its kind in the Nordic region. During its early years (1978–1981) it appeared as Musikdramatik, then as Tidskriften Musikdramatik from 1981 to 2002. In 2002 it adopted its current title, Tidskriften Opera, and has been published under that name since. The magazine is published by Tidskriften Opera ekonomisk förening, an economic association that owns the title. It is issued five times per year with a circulation of approximately 4,000 copies. The editor-in-chief and responsible publisher is Sören Tranberg, who has also authored numerous articles for the magazine, including annual reports on the Opera Prize. Since 2014 the magazine has received production support from the Swedish Arts Council (Statens kulturråd). During 2013–2015 it also received financial support for marketing from the Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation. A central part of the magazine's public profile is the annual Operapriset (Opera Prize), which has been awarded since the 1986–87 season. The winner is selected by a vote of the magazine's readers from four nominated candidates. The prize consists of SEK 25,000 and the statuette Eldslinga, created and signed by silversmith Sigurd Persson. For many years the prize was sponsored by AB Volvo; from 2015 the sponsor has been the Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation. Recipients have included many leading Swedish opera singers, such as Nina Stemme (1995–96), Malena Ernman (1999–2000), Peter Mattei (2000–01), Katarina Karnéus (2002–03), Anna Larsson (2007–08), Malin Byström (2013), Elin Rombo (2015), Ann Hallenberg (2019), Åsa Jäger (2025) and Matilda Sterby (2026). In 2009 the magazine instituted a separate Musikalpriset (Musical Prize) with SJ as partner. It was awarded annually for four years to individuals who had distinguished themselves in musical theatre, with criteria combining musical skill, artistic skill, innovation and entertainment value. Recipients included Ola Salo (2009), Gunilla Backman (2010), Johan Glans (2011), and Loa Falkman and Sven Nordin (2012). Over the decades the magazine has maintained a broad editorial scope, covering opera performances, recordings and books in Sweden, the Nordic countries and internationally, while also featuring interviews, portraits and essays. Although it once covered musical theatre regularly, its focus today is firmly on opera. The magazine's readership is characterised by a high level of education and active cultural consumption, and its own surveys report very high reader satisfaction.

• 2015

  Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation becomes sponsor of Operapriset.

• 2014

  Begins receiving production support from the Swedish Arts Council (Statens kulturråd).

• 2013

  Receives marketing support from the Kjell and Märta Beijers Foundation (2013–2015).

• 2009

  Musikalpriset (Musical Prize) instituted with SJ as partner.

• 2002

  Renamed Tidskriften Opera.

• 1986

  Operapriset (Opera Prize) first awarded for the 1986–87 season.

• 1981

  Renamed Tidskriften Musikdramatik.

• 1978

  Magazine founded under the name Musikdramatik.

The Nordic region's only specialist magazine and cultural journal for opera and music drama, combining topicality and history, breadth and depth for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

• Tidskriften Opera magazine

  Specialist magazine and cultural journal for opera and music drama, published five times a year with a circulation of about 4,000 copies.

• Operapriset (Opera Prize)

  Annual prize awarded since the 1986–87 season, voted by readers, consisting of SEK 25,000 and the Eldslinga statuette by Sigurd Persson.

• Musikalpriset (Musical Prize)

  Prize instituted in 2009 with SJ as partner, awarded annually for four years to musical theatre performers.

1. 1Tidskriften OPERA – Nordens enda specialtidning om operatidskriftenopera.se
2. 2Tidskriften Opera – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Tidskriften Opera – Wikipedia (Swedish)sv.wikipedia.org