Oslo Circles was founded in Oslo in 2015, and consists of some of the most established musicians in Scandinavia within the world of baroque music. The members of the group regularly play in orchestras such as Concerto Copenhagen, Barokksolistene, B’Rock, Barokkanerne, Academia Montis Regalis, Les Talens Lyriques and Finnish Baroque Orchestra. The baroque violinist Astrid Kirschner has gathered a “musical circle”, where all the members bring to the group their unique talent and musical experience, adding their personal input of different styles, nationalities and backgrounds. The group has a passion for showing how modern baroque music can be – through playfulness and freedom in the moment of performing.
Oslo Circles works in close collaboration with David Hansen (countertenor), Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzo soprano), Berit Nordbakken Solset (soprano), Halvor F. Melien (bass baritone), Ann-Beth Solvang (mezzo soprano), and has also explored instrumental baroque music, such as the program Seicento Italiano – a journey through the rhythm and dynamics of 17th century Italian music, The Secret Diary of Samuel Pepys – a collaboration with the Norwegian film actor Anders Baasmo Christiansen, the Passion project The Virgin’s Tears, and many more. Oslo Circles has played at music festivals like in Froville (France), Baroque & Beyond (Sweden), Varazdin Baroque Nights (Croatia), and numerous concerts in Norway. In 2018 Oslo Circles started its own concert series, named 1685, at the baroque church Akershus Slottskirke in the heart of Oslo.
Oslo Circles receives support from the Norwegian Arts Council, Fund for Performing Artists (Norway), Music Norway, The Aksel Bye’s foundation and Oslo district.
Astrid Kirschner, baroque violin
Øivind Nussle, baroque violin
Mari Giske, baroque viola
Mime Brinkmann, baroque cello
Caroline Eidsten Dahl, recorder
Ingeborg Christophersen, recorder
Jonas Bonde, percussion
Karl Nyhlin, archlute and baroque guitar
Mariangiola Martello, harpsichord
