Cast information Opera by the Fjord

Dear all,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this year’s edition of Opera ved Fjorden.

This summer academy is Bergen National Opera’s dearest “baby”, and the first project I initiated when I began my journey in Bergen. From the very beginning, I was fortunate to have my dear friend and colleague Sascha Goetzel by my side as co-leader – and the rest, as they say, is history.

The purpose of the academy is to give each of you the opportunity to explore and experience operatic life in a supportive and focused environment, while working closely with fellow artists from across the world. We bring together singers, conductors, pianists and instrumentalists, and our ambition is that you not only learn together – but also from one another.

Our faculty represents some of the highest competence from the Nordic countries and Vienna. We encourage all teachers to engage beyond their own field, sharing their experience openly and across disciplines.

As always, you all live together on the historic vessel MS Sunnhordland. This creates a unique and intimate atmosphere, both on and off stage. It also asks something of all of us – generosity, respect, and the ability to give each other space when needed.

This year, we turn to two masterpieces: Carmen and Le nozze di Figaro. Two very different worlds, each demanding precision, imagination and presence. The days will be intense, the schedule full – so remember to take care of yourselves along the way.

But above all: embrace the spirit of the academy. Be curious, be brave, and enjoy the process. This is a place for growth, for discovery – and for making music together.

We wish you an inspiring, joyful and unforgettable week.

Welcome!

Eivind Gullberg Jensen
Artistic Director
Bergen National Opera

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Please click on the link to see the Production Schedule. In addition to rehearsals the schedule includes lunch and dinner times on the boat. 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:

• Monday 22nd of June: Conductors, singers and repetiteurs arrive, and we start with musical rehearsals at 2pm followed by scenic rehearsals.
• Tuesday 23rd of June: Continue piano rehearsal and orchestra musicians arrive for first orchestra alone at 5pm.
• Wednesday 24th of June: Continue musical rehearsals and staging - Tutti
• Thursday 25th of June: Dress and Performance (additional to other rehearsals) and Dinner with invited guests
• Friday 26th of June: Continue rehearsals - Tutti
• Saturday 27th of June: Continue rehearsals and Dress for Die Walküre - Tutti
• Sunday 28th of June: Dress Arias and Performance - Tutti
• Monday 29th of June: Departure (latest check out at 10:00 am)

*** THE FACULTY 2026 ***

FOUNDERS AND DIRECTORS
Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Artistic & General Director of Bergen National Opera, and Chief Conductor of Noord Nederlands Orkest
Sascha Goetzel, Music Director for Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and Principle Guest Conductor for Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra

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

VOCAL PEDAGOGUES
Solveig Kringlebotn, soprano and professor at the Academy of Opera in Oslo and Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo
Peter Mattei, baritone from Sweden, renowned for the title roles as Don Giovanni and Wozzeck at The Met

VOCAL COACHES
Hans-Otto Ehrström, pianist and vocal coach from the Vienna State Opera
Audrey Saint-Gil: vocal coach and music consultant Opernstudio at thr 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 2026 ***

CONDUCTORS
Judith Baubérot (France)
Simon-Emiil Bergstrøm Waage (Norway)
Jakub Grzybowski (Poland)
Gabriela Opacka-Boccadoro (Poland and UK)

REPETITEURS
Nana Murakami (Japan)
Artur Shutov (Ukraine)

Singers in Le nozze di Figaro, act 2
Count – baritone Jo Angeloff (Norway)
Countess – soprano Marta Hadzimanov (Serbia)
Susanna – soprano Lova Kollberg (Sweden)
Figaro – baritone Ljubomir Milanovic (Serbia)
Cherubino – mezzo Karen Mathilde Heier Hovd (Norway)
Marcellina – mezzo Nina Ehrström (Finland)
Bartolo – bass Zoltan Benze Papp (Hungary)
Basilio – tenor Jonathan Steen Bjørnseth (Norway)

Antonio – baritone Herman Styri Myhren (Norway)

Singers in Carmen, 1 hour excerpts

Carmen – mezzo Hannah Rehrl (Austria)
Micaela – soprano Louise Engeseth (Norway)
Frasquita – soprano Solveig Bergersen (Norway)
Mercédès – mezzo Marie Lillesand (Norway)
Don José – tenor Simon Grønås (Norway)
Escamillo – baritone Andres Cascante (Costa Rica)
Le Remendado – tenor Benjamin Daniel da Silva (Norway)
La Dancaïre – baritone Marius Tajet Urdal (Norway)

Chorister – soprano Inga Lohne-Otterstad (Norway)
Chorister - mezzo Nina Ehrström (Finland)
Chorister – tenor Jonathan Steen Bjørnseth (Norway)
Chorister – baritone Herman Styri Myhren (Norway)
Chorister – bass Zoltan Benze Papp (Hungary)

THE ACADEMY ORCHESTRA

Please note: This orchestra list is not yet in the exact seating order within each section.
Violins: will rotate between 1st and 2nd violin. The division will be announced soon.

Violin 1 and 2 (6+6)

Maxim Brilinsky 1*
Lucas Takeshi Stratmann 2*

Irina Bashllari (Albania)
Maria Cherkassova (Russia)
Aleksandra Gluch (Poland)
Juliane Gotthardt (Germany)
Gayeon Kim (South Korea)

Sangeun Kim (South Korea)
Karoline Kringstad Myklebust (Norway)
Lena Loncar (Serbia)
Nikodem Rodzen (Poland)
NN

Viola (4)
James Opie*
Tuomas Oravuo (Finland)

Shuaho Xu (China)
Noa Ballesteros Sobrino (Spain)

Cello (4)
Erik Wahlgren*
Benedikte Dalgas (Denmark)
Laura Fabregat Krzemnicki (Switzerland)
Ophélie Giovani (Belgium)

Double bass (2)
Patrick Wilder*
Spenser Mandy (Canada)

Flute (3)
Karl-Heinz Schütz*
Eugénie Ikonomou (France)
Lisa Marie Klein (Germany)

Oboe (2)
Adriana Perua i Serrano (Spain)
Léane Plain (Switzerland)

Clarinet (2)
Maciej Luszczewski (Poland)
Giorgio Monciino (Italy)

Bassoon (2)
Audun Halvorsen*
George Bailey (UK)

Horn (4)
Rune Brodahl*
Benedikt Geiger (Germany)
Ida Marie Haarstad (Norway)
Signe Wikeland (Norway)

Trumpet (2)
Ángel Manuel Nicolás Barceló (Spain)
Ramón Rodriguez Luque (Spain)

Trombone (2)
Pol Fernàndez Briansó (Spain)
Cagla Turhan (Turkey)
Alain Wüest (Switzerland)

Bass trombone (2)
Pol Fernàndez Briansó (Spain)
Alain Wüest (Switzerland)

Harp (1)
Marcelina Dąbek (Poland)

Timpani and percussion (1)
Manuel Hofstätter
(guest musician from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra)

The list of participants was updated on April 30th

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

CONTACT DETAILS BNO
All contact emails and phone numbers to BNO staff can be found here

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 )

facebook / Opera by the Fjord
instagram / Opera by the fjord
facebook / Bergen National Opera
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YouTube
vimeo

For backstage info please join us on Community WhatsApp:

PRACTICAL

Miljøfyrtårn / ECO Lighthouse
BNO is certified Miljøfyrtårn/ ECO Lighthouse since 2021. We focus on how we can make more environmentally friendly choices every day and you can help. Please choose public transport to work, bring your own water bottle, coffee mug, choose trademark products, recycle waste, clean up after you and create a nice work environment

Code Of Conduct
Please see our code of conduct here: Code of conduct

***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 can arrive in Os on Monday 22nd of June at 13:00.

Orchestra musicians can arrive Tuesday 23rd morning in order to be ready on the podium Tuesday 23rd at 17:00.

For singers, repetiteurs and conductors: If your travel plans mean that you need accommodation in Bergen before travelling to Os, please contact Sara. 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 and the accomodation 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
Academists will be accommodated on M/S Sunnhordland. The beautifully restored historic steamer from Leirvik has a long history and was originally built as an anti-submarine corvette and escort vessel.  

M/S Sunnhordland will dock within walking distance from the venue.  

The cabins range from 2 to 4 beds. Most of you will be sharing with other participants. There is bed linen and towels in each cabin. The cabins are functional but comfortable. 

Please keep in mind, the cabins are small, so pack in bags (not suitcases).

For more information on the history of the steamer and images, please check out their website: http://www.mssunnhordland.no

MEALS AND SOCIAL EVENTS

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served on board M/S Sunnhordland. Breakfast is served from 08:15-09:30, Lunch will be from 13:00 - 14:30, and dinner 19:00 - 21:00. There is a cosy bar on board the boat should you wish to socialise in the evenings.  

Chose your menu for the week (Standard, Vegetarian or Vegan) and let us know if you have any dietary requirements by June 1st at the latest
Using this form.  

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. 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. 

There are various spaces available on M/S Sunnhordland, but these are limited. We ask that you respect your fellow participants and the neighbours in the harbour 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 25th of June: please wear dark and neutral attire.
For the Sunday 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 Sunday 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