The first notes of 'ANDERSEN' opens this year's festival - HCA Festivals

The concert’s music and songs will be performed by the Odense Symphony Orchestra, along with talented soloists, a rhythm section, and a choir.

For composer Johannes Steinray, the concert marks the culmination of a long artistic journey in which H.C. Andersen has been a constant source of inspiration.

“For me, it has never been just about fairy tales, but about his unique ability to highlight the absurdity of human nature—in a way that is both intellectual and fantastical,” says Steinray.

Although he has lived most of his adult life abroad and has written almost exclusively in English, the majority of the songs have now been translated into Danish for the first time.

“Hearing them performed by the Odense Symphony Orchestra in H.C. Andersen’s hometown feels as if they’ve finally come home,” he says.

The idea for the project came about when Steinray contacted musical producer Mikkel Rønnow. And it turned out that Mikkel also wanted to create a musical about H.C. Andersen. The concerts on August 13 and 14 will feature twenty of the songs and mark the first step toward the full-length musical.

Mikkel Rønnow is producing the concert and the upcoming musical:

“It’s very rare to have the opportunity to put on a concert featuring brand-new Danish musical theater music. And certainly not with a huge orchestra and some of the country’s most talented musical theater actors. What we’re most excited about, actually, is the audience’s reaction to the songs.”

After the concert, work on the musical will continue, with the goal of telling the story of the greatest Danish cultural figure of all time—from his childhood all the way to his celebration in Odense.

“Over the next 6–8 months, three musical writers will begin drafting the script for the musical. In parallel with the script development, we’ll be planning a production of the show, which we expect to take place in 2028 or 2029—and, if all goes well, with the world premiere right here at ODEON in Odense. Of course!” says Rønnow.