Norwegian Opera Orchestra

The Norwegian National Opera Orchestra can trace its history back to 1827, more exactly to Strømberg’s Theatre, which was one of the first places in Norway to stage opera performances. With the founding of the Christiania Theatre in 1837 and the opening of the National Theatre in 1899, these places became the orchestra’s main venues until the Norwegian Opera opened its doors on Youngstorget in 1959. When the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet moved into the singular new building in Bjørvika in 2008 the orchestra got its own rehearsal room and world-class acoustic working conditions. The opera orchestra today consists of 101 full-time players and, under musical director John Helmer Fiore, has established itself among Norway’s foremost orchestras. During the season they take part in around 160 opera and ballet performances, and every season they play three or four large-scale symphonic concerts in the Opera’s main auditorium. Since establishing the symphonic concert series, leading figures including Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Leif Segerstam, Alexander Lazarev, Michail Jurowski and Hartmut Haenchen have been guests at the Opera and have created many magical moments with the orchestra. In addition to performances and concerts the orchestral musicians also offer their independently produced chamber music series on Stage 2. Collectively, the musicians’ most important principal aim is to create the best orchestral musical framework for Norwegian National Opera & Ballet’s performances in the opera house. The orchestra has gained good reviews, not least in cultural media abroad. The Norwegian National Opera’s staging of Peter Grimes at the festival in Savonlinna in Finland in 2012 under the musical direction of chief conductor John Helmer Fiore was one of several real high points for the orchestra, and was reflected in very good feedback from all sides. For many years the orchestra has also had a fruitful partnership with Rinaldo Alessandrnii, amongst other things in operas by Handel and Mozart, and with him as conductor they have made a critically acclaimed recording of opera overtures by W.A.Mozart. One can also enjoy the Opera Orchestra’s contribution in new recordings with sopranos Eli Kristin Hanssveen and Marita Sølberg, conducted by John Fiore. www.operaen.no December 2015