Cast information

Welcome to Opera by the Fjord Summer Academy at Bergen National Opera

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our 5th edition of Opera by the Fjord.

This summer academy is Bergen National Opera’s dearest «baby», and the first project I initiated when I started as opera chief in Bergen. I got my dear friend and colleague Sascha Goetzel to join me as co-leader of the festival from the very beginning, the rest is history.

The purpose of the academy is to give all the students a possibility to explore and examine opera life in protected surroundings, and learn together with fellow artists from all over the world. We have instrumental-, conducting-, piano- and song-students, and our ambition is that everybody learns not only together, but also from each other.

The faculty is a mixture of the highest competence from all the major Scandinavian cities and Vienna – and we want all the teachers to give feedback across their own field, based on their professional experience.

This year the students live together at the local Bjørnafjorden Hotel. 5 minutes by buss or 25 minutes walk from the location of the academy – this allows us an intimate academy atmosphere. but it also means that we all need to give each other some space and show tolerance during the week.

This summer the academy is big, and we focus on no less than three titles, Die Walküre. Im Walde (Hänsel und Gretel) and Don Giovanni. This means that we will have very busy days with high intensity, so make sure you also get enough rest between the rehearsals.

But most importantly, enjoy the academy spirit and atmosphere – lets have a lot of fun together.
We wish you a wonderful and crazy week with beautiful music making.

Eivind Gullberg Jensen

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Please click on the link to see the Production Schedule.

In addition to rehearsals the schedule includes lunch and dinner times and the buss departures between Bjørnafjorden Hotel and Oseana. The schedule is subject to change and will be updated daily during the week of the academy. Please contact Mia Julie Wiland (miajulie@bno.no) if you have any questions.

Day to day plan in general:

• Saturday 21st of June: Conductors, singers and repetiteurs arrive, and we start with musical rehearsals at 2pm
• Sunday 22nd of June: Continue musical rehearsal and start staging
• Monday 23rd of June: Continue rehearsal
• Tuesday 24th of June: Continue rehearsal and orchestra musicians arrive
• Wednesday 25th of June: Continue rehearsal and staging - Tutti
• Thursday 26th of June: Dress and Performance (additional to other rehearsals) and Dinner with invited guests
• Friday 27th of June: Continue rehearsals - Tutti
• Saturday 28th of June: Continue rehearsals and Dress for Die Walküre - Tutti
• Sunday 29th of June: Dress Arias and Performance - Tutti
• Monday 30th of June: Departure (latest check out at 11:00 am)

SOCIAL MEDIA
Please follow us and share your own experience by tagging @operabythefjord and @bergennasjonaleopera
Would you like us to tag you? Please send your username for facebook and instagram to Monika ( monika@bno.no )

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*** THE FACULTY 2025 ***

FOUNDERS AND DIRECTORS
Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Artistic & General Director of Bergen National Opera, and Chief Conductor of Noord Nederlands Orkest
Sascha Goetzel,Music Director Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Art. & Music Director Ulsan Philharmonic Orchestra, Principle Guest Conductor Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor in Residence Philharmonic Banatul Timisoara


STAGING
Stage director: Ivar Emil Tindberg, Norwegian stage director, writer and composer
Assistant stage director: Ann-Terese Aasen, Norwegian choreographer and stage director

Costume design:
Cathrine Ahlsen, Head of Costumes, Bergen National Opera

VOCAL PEDAGOGUES
Solveig Kringlebotn, soprano and professor at the Academy of Opera in Oslo and Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo
Albert Dohmen, bass-baritone from Germany, renowned for his Ring-roles Wotan, Alberich and Hagen at the Bayreuth festival 
Peter Mattei, baritone from Sweden, renowned for the title roles as Don Giovanni and Wozzeck at The Met

VOCAL COACHES
Kristin Okerlund, pianist and vocal coach from the Vienna State Opera
Hans-Otto Ehrström, pianist and vocal coach from the Vienna State Opera

ORCHESTRA COACHES / SECTION LEADERS
1st violin: Maxim Brilinsky, leader of the 1st violin section, Wiener Philharmoniker
2nd violin: Lucas Takeshi Stratmann, principal 2nd violin, Wiener Staatsoper
Viola: James Opie, co-principal viola, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra in Stockholm
Cello: Erik Wahlgren, solocellist, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra in Stockholm
Double bass: Patrick Wilder, co-principal double bass, The Norwegian Opera & Ballet
Woodwind:
Karl-Heinz Schütz, solo flute, Wiener Philharmoniker
Audun Halvorsen, principal bassoon in the Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DR SymfoniOrkestret)
Brass:
Rune Brodahl, solo horn, The Norwegian Opera & Ballett

*** THE ACADEMISTS 2025 ***

CONDUCTORS
Jaehyuck Choi (South Korea)
Victor Rouanet (France)
Filippo Barsali (Italy)
Solveig Lindroos (Finland)

REPETITEURS
Aksel Dueled (Norway)
Erin Won (South Korea / USA)
Valentina Rando (Italy)

SINGERS IN HÄNSEL UND GRETEL (Im Walde from Act 2)
Hänsel – mezzo-soprano Maia Reppe (Norway)
Gretel – soprano Emilia Utter (Sweden)
Sandmännchen (The Sleep Fairy) – soprano Oda Nysæter (Norway)

SINGERS IN DON GIOVANNI (highlights)
Don Giovanni – baritone Sakarias Fredriksen Tranvåg (Norway)
Leporello – baritone Akseli Mattila (Finland)
Donna Anna – soprano Sofia Nesje Enger (Norway)
Il Commendatore – bass Johannes Nikolai Aas (Norway)
Donna Elvira – soprano Íris Björk Gunnarsdóttir (Iceland)
Zerlina – soprano Alva Olsson (Sweden)
Don Ottavio – tenor Magnus Løvlie (Norway)
Masetto – baritone Gustav Francis Stevens George (Norway)

SINGERS IN DIE WALKÜRE (Act 1)
Siegmund – tenor Robert Skovly (Norway)
Sieglinde – soprano Hedvig Haugerud (Norway)
Hunding – bass Jacob Abel (Norway)

THE ACADEMY ORCHESTRA
34 students and 9 pros = 43 musicians in total (+ mandolin on Thursday)
* = section leader and coach

Please note: This orchestra list is not yet completed in the exact seating order within each section. As soon as a specific seating is decided for the musicians within a section, we will aim to update this list asap (f ex clarinet 1 or 2).

Violins: As you can see each of you will rotate between 1st and 2nd violin for the two concerts, so please find your correct music parts in the folder to rehearse according to this. The exact seating order (chair by chair/Pult) within the 1st and 2nd section will be decided after you all meet at the academy. Per now your names are in alphabetical order.

Violin 1 in the concert Thursday 26th (Don Giovanni, Hänsel und Gretel etc.)
Maxim Brilinsky*
Oscar Abellan Barber (Spain)
Sarah-Sophie Brilinsky (Austria)
Simon Fröschl (Austria)
Kaya Kotarski (Poland)
Karoline Kringstad Myklebust (Norway)

Violin 2 in the concert Thursday 26th (Don Giovanni, Hänsel und Gretel etc.)
Lucas Takeshi Stratmann*
Kristin Engås (Norway)
Emils Helde (Latvia)
Oleksandra Kryvsha (Ukraine)
Madli Lehiste (Estonia)
Nikodem Rodzen (Poland)

Violin 1 in the concert Sunday 29th (Die Walküre etc.)
Maxim Brilinsky*
Kristin Engås (Norway)
Emils Helde (Latvia)
Oleksandra Kryvsha (Ukraine)
Madli Lehiste (Estonia)
Nikodem Rodzen (Poland)

Violin 2 in the concert Sunday 29th (Die Walküre etc.)
Lucas Takeshi Stratmann*
Oscar Abellan Barber (Spain)
Sarah-Sophie Brilinsky (Austria)
Simon Fröschl (Austria)
Kaya Kotarski (Poland)
Karoline Kringstad Myklebust (Norway)

Viola
James Opie*
Jan Cieszkinski (Poland)
Hannah Elgas (Luxembourg)
Tuomas Oravuo (Finland)
Anna-Helena Inno (Estonia)

Cello
Erik Wahlgren*
Janka Porkoláb (Hungary)
Leonardo Graziola (Italia)
Emil Johathan Riedel (Germany)

Double bass
Patrick Wilder*
Ia Kvaliashvili (Georgia)

Flute (students rotating after agreement with Karl-Heinz)
Karl-Heinz Schütz*
Estela Serrano Andújar (Spain) – also piccolo
Lara Gombosi (Slovenia) – also piccolo

Oboe
Yu-Han Shih (Taiwan)
Luisa Berenger (Germany) – also cor anglais

Clarinet
Valeria Lupi (Italy) – clarinet 1
Matteo Nocentini (Italy) – clarinet 2 and bass clarinet

Bassoon
Audun Halvorsen* – bassoon 1
Peder Ravn Jensen (Norway) – bassoon 2

Horn (students rotating after agreement with Rune)
Rune Brodahl*
Ida Holm Olaussen (Norway)
Lucia Maria Palumbo (Italy)
Signe Wikeland (Norway)

Trumpet
Oscar Torkildsen Brodahl (Norway)
Mathea Strømmegjerde (Norway)

Trombone
Emma-Lisa Björeman (Sweden)
Artur Szumelda (Poland)

Bass trombone
Gergo Florian Donath (Hungary)

Harp
Marcelina Dąbek (Poland)

Mandolin Thursday 26th
Bjarni Frímann
(guest musician)

Timpani and percussion
Manuel Hofstätter
(guest musician from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra)

The list of participants was updated on June 18th

BACKSTAGE
Mia Julie Wiland / Production Manager
Sara Eeg Jonasmo / Stage Manager
Cathrine Ahlsen / Head of Costume
Andreas Marceliussen / Podium Stage Manager
Marte Synnevåg / Head of props
Kristian Andersen / Lights

CONTACT DETAILS BNO
All communication on MUVAC is now closed.
All contact emails and phone numbers to BNO staff can be found here

MUSIC SCORES
Most of the music scores and parts are now placed in the folder. Please click on the link to download the pieces you need to prepare before the academy:

Music Scores & Librettos Opera by the Fjord 2025

The repertoire list for the two concerts are already available in the folder. Over the next few days the remaining scores will be available as well.

The three operas at this year’s academy are Die Walküre (Act 1), Hänsel und Gretel (Im Walde from Act 2) and Don Giovanni (highlights). In addition there will be three orchestra alone pieces, an aria for each of the 14 singers – and one tutti piece for all singers as an encore (Brindisi from La traviata).

Full scores, vocal scores and parts will be available in physical format at the academy. All these are copies – except of Die Walküre, which will be original parts rented for the academy.

Violins: The bowings for the three operas Hänsel und Gretel, Don Giovanni and Die Walküre are marked in your parts here in the folder. This is done by your section leaders Maxim (1st) and Lucas (2nd). The bowings for the individual 14 arias will be done when you meet at the academy.

Please check the orchestra list above to see when you are playing 1^st or 2^nd violin, since there will be a rotation in the seating between the two concerts.

THE CONCERTS
Here is the external performance page for the concert on Thursday 26th (link)
Here is the external performance page for the concert on Sunday 29th (link)

***PRACTICAL INFORMATION***

ADDRESS
The summer academy Opera by the Fjord is located at:

• Oseana Kunst- og Kultursenter Mobergsbakken 20, 5200 Os

Pictures of the venue and information can be found on their website:  www.oseana.no

TRAVEL
Singers, conductors and repetiteurs that arrive before the 21st need to arrange their own transport to the hotel and to Oseana for the start of the academy. From the academy starts on the 21st 13:00 we arrange transport between the hotel and Oseana every morning and evening.

Orchestra musicians can arrive from Monday 23rd afternoon to Tuesday 24th morning in order to be ready on the podium Tuesday 24th at 14:00.

Please check out www.entur.no or www.reise.skyss.no for travel info and tickets from Bergen to Os. Use “Osøyro” in the search for Os. If you are travelling to Os from Bergen Airport Flesland you have two options. There is a light rail service “Bybane” from the airport to Bergen centre, the line number is 1 (and its the only one departing from the airport)

Options 1: You can either travel from the airport to “Lagunen” or "Nesttun" and transfer there to the 600 bus to Os

Options 2: You can travel from the airport to the city centre, stop “Nonneseter” and then jump on the bus 600 to Os from the central bus station.

A taxi from the airport to Os will cost around NOK 700. 

Os is a small town and upon arrival the venue is walking distance from the bus stop in the centre of town (please see map below) Please let us know if you have any questions. 

From Skyssapp, Bergen Airport (Lufthavn) to Oseana:

ACCOMODATION
This year the participants will be accommodated at Bjørnafjorden Hotell.

The rooms range from 1 to 4 beds. Most of you will be sharing with other participants. There are bed linens and towels in each room.

TRANSPORT

From the evening of the 21st there will be buss transportation between the Hotel and Oseana in the morning and the evening. The departure times of the busses are listed in the rehearsal schedule.

Alternatively walking along the seaside is a lovely walk if the weather is nice. There is a shortcut from Bjørnafjorden Hotel down to the sea that Google maps does not know about - ask the hotel.

MEALS AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Breakfast and dinner will be served at Bjørnafjorden hotel. While lunch will be served at Oseana. Breakfast is served from 07.30 – 09.00, Lunch will be from 13:00 - 14:30, and dinner 19:20 - 21:00. There are communal spaces and a bar at Bjørnafjorden Hotel should you wish to socialise in the evenings.  Because of Norwegian liquor legislation bringing your own alcohol to the hotel, both outside on the premises and in the hotel rooms, is not allowed.

Suggestions for games and fun activities outside the schedule are welcomed. Bring swimwear!

GENERAL INFORMATION
We have limited access to the performance and rehearsal spaces in Oseana and at Bjørnafjorden hotel. The venue is open to us between 09:00 and 19:00 every day and the rehearsals will be held between 10:00-19:00. 

The venue is not available outside these hours.

Our schedule is ambitious and the time and space we have available is limited. We are sadly not able to arrange individual rehearsal or warmup spaces.

We ask that you respect your fellow participants and neighbours in the hotel when choosing locations and times.

We want to make you all aware of this restriction in advance to avoid misunderstanding and disappointment upon arrival. Please take this into consideration when preparing yourself.

DRESS CODE / CONCERT

Singers 
For the staged performances we are preparing your costumes in Bergen.
For the arias wear your concert attire. If you have something that connects you to the context or content of your aria, feel free to bring it along.
If you have any questions regarding concert attire please contact Cathrine Ahlsen at cathrine@bno.no

Conductors
For the Thursday concert 26th of June: please wear dark and neutral attire.
For the Summer concert 29th of June: Black shirts, black trousers, black shoes

Orchestra musicians and repetiteurs
For the Thursday concert: please wear white shirt, black trousers and black shoes.
For the Summer concert: Black shirts, black trousers, black shoes

VIDEO RECORDING
The concerts will be recorded for documentation purposes and a link to the video can be send on demand. Please contact Monika by email:  monika@bno.no

CODE OF CONDUCT
Please see our code of conduct here: Code of conduct

PRESS AND MEDIA

Contact persons
Ole Klemsdal / Head of Communication / Send email / +47 911 01 791
Monika / Head of e-commerce / Send email / +47 92 47 0001

Press
There may be journalists from the written press present at the rehearsals during the whole rehearsal period. There will be information about this beforehand. Any media coverage involving sound recording will be approved by the involved artists and singers beforehand.

Photo
Monika from Bergen National Opera's communications department will be recording and taking photos throughout the production for use in our social media channels.

Film
We will be recording parts of the rehearsals for documentation and social media teasers.

PLANNING YOUR STAY IN NORWAY

Weather
Norwegians love to talk about the weather! It changes from day to day, hour to hour, and we recommend bring clothes for both a rainy day as well as sunshine.

Money
The standard way of paying is by credit card or bank card. Few locals pay with cash - even for a packet of chewing gum.
As for general shopping, all but kiosks and tourists shops are closed on Sundays. Restaurants, cafés and bars are open all week. If you're looking for a Sunday open supermarket we recommend Bunnpris, Torggaten 6, and/or Nygårdsgaten 89.

For things to do in Bergen, check out Visitnorway.com

Premiere Party- what to wear
Anything and everything is welcomed. Most of us wear casual chic.

ANY QUESTIONS?
Please don't hesitate to contact us.

If you have any question regarding artistic program, music and scores, please contact Nicolai@bno.no

Any other question please contact miajulie@bno.no

CONTACT INFO
Bergen Nasjonale Opera
Edvard Griegs plass 1
5015 BERGEN
NORWAY
+47 55 21 61 20
info@bno.no