"The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman" is the 22nd album by American rock group Sparks, released in August 2009. This album marks Sparks' first venture into the radio musical genre and presents an imaginative narrative about Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman's hypothetical visit to Hollywood in the mid-1950s. The storyline explores the cultural contrasts between Europe and America and the tension between artistic integrity and commercialism.
Unlike typical Sparks albums, The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman is designed to be experienced as a continuous piece, rather than a collection of individual songs. The work was commissioned by Sveriges Radio Radioteatern, the radio drama division of Sweden's national radio broadcaster. It was first released in a Swedish-language version in August 2009, followed by an English-language version in November 2009.
The album features a diverse cast of Swedish and American actors and spans various musical genres, including opera, vaudeville, and pop. The production was a cross-continental collaboration: while Sparks recorded the music and English vocals in the United States, the Swedish vocals were recorded by Sveriges Radio in Stockholm and then sent to Sparks via an FTP server.
The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman was met with favorable reviews, praised for its ambitious concept and execution. The album inspired a live show and plans for a film adaptation, further expanding the project's reach and impact.
