The Master Builder

Written by Henrik Ibsen

Narrated by LibriVox Community

Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder, first published in 1892, is about architect Halvard Solness, who despite personal tragedy (including the death of his two sons) has risen to the top of his profession. He has succeeded partly through ruthless competition and exploitation and partly through a seeming ability to force his will on others. His unhappy wife Aline mourns for their lost life, and resents his interest in various young women, including his bookkeeper Kaia Fosli. Solness disregards the ambitions of other architects, including Knut Brovik and his son Ragnar, and seeks solace in the advice of family physician and friend Dr. Herdal. With the entrance of Hilda Wangel, a young woman whom he met as a child ten years ago, his life acquires a new focal point, one that will mean the end of him. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Cast:

Halvard Solness: Bruce Pirie
Aline Solness: Arielle Lipshaw
Dr. Herdal: Andy Minter
Knut Brovik: Lars Rolander
Ragnar Brovik: mb
Kaia Fosli: Availle
Hilda Wangel: Elizabeth Klett
Narrator: Guero

Audio edited by: Elizabeth Klett

• Language: English
• Publisher: LibriVox
• Release date: Aug 25, 2014

Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) was a Norwegian playwright who thrived during the late nineteenth century. He began his professional career at age 15 as a pharmacist’s apprentice. He would spend his free time writing plays, publishing his first work Catilina in 1850, followed by The Burial Mound that same year. He eventually earned a position as a theatre director and began producing his own material. Ibsen’s prolific catalogue is noted for depicting modern and real topics. His major titles include Brand, Peer Gynt and Hedda Gabler.