Håvard Enstad delves into the poetic universe of William Shakespeare, transforming the playwright's timeless texts into an original cycle of songs that span a remarkable range of emotions, colors, and musical styles. Drawing from Shakespeare's sonnets—including beloved classics such as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" alongside lesser-known gems

from the collection of 154 sonnets—Enstad creates a unique musical landscape where centuries-old poetry meets contemporary artistic expression.

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The music is characterized by captivating melodies, playful harmonies, and inventive rhythmic structures. Rooted in a rich musical background that embraces classical music, jazz, and diverse world music traditions, the songs move seamlessly between intimacy, drama, humor, and reflection. Balkan-inspired asymmetric rhythms intertwine with subtle

references to Schubert, whose melodies are reimagined and transformed into something entirely new. At the heart of the project lies Enstad's distinctive melodic voice: music that illuminates Shakespeare's language from unexpected angles while remaining deeply connected to the emotional essence of the texts. The result is a fresh and compelling encounter with one of literature's greatest authors—a Shakespeare for today's listeners, heard as never before.

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MUSICIANS

Carola Zafarana, voice

Lies Hendrix, accordion

Jose Borjas, double bass

Albert Enkaminanko, percussion

Håvard Enstad, piano/composer