scene shows the last night onboard where Isagel dances and the blind poetess sings of the joy of death. A light beam sweeps over the dead passengers and Mimaroben prepares for the end. Finally darkness descends over the occupants of the space ship, and the audience in the theatre. Recordings The first recording was released in 1960 by Columbia Masterworks (catalog number – M2S 902) featuring Werner Janssen conducting members of Royal Swedish Opera. The first broadcast performance was broadcast by Swedish Radio; a subsequent recording in 1985 with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Stig Westerberg, and included Viveka Anderberg, Björn Haugan, Stefan Parkman, Mikael Samuelson, Thomas Sunnegårdh and Jerker Arvidssonin among the cast (Caprice CAP 22016: 1–2) (CD). References Operas by Karl-Birger Blomdahl Swedish-language operas Harry Martinson 1959 operas Operas Science fiction operas