SUMMER ACADEMY

Dates and application details for the 2027 season will be announced in October 2026.

In June 2026 the selected works were highlights from Le nozze di Figaro and Carmen, plus the students' own favourite arias. Swedish baritone Peter Mattei, known for his interpretation of Don Giovanni at The Met in New York, returned to be part of the teaching team – together with Solveig Kringlebotn, who has been with us from the beginning.

Bergen National Opera's summer academy is aimed at young opera singers, orchestra musicians, conductors and repetiteurs over 18 years old who are currently in education, or recently graduated. Our top team of coaches have experience from renowned opera houses and symphony orchestras.

Opera by the Fjord - Summer Academy is presented by Bergen National Opera in collaboration with Oseana kunst- og kultursenter, and is supported by Grieg Foundation, Sparebankstiftelsen DnB, Talent Norge and the GC Rieber Foundation.

Academy photos:

DATES 2027 TBC

AGE LIMIT
18-32 years

PLACE
Venue for rehearsals and concerts:
Oseana Art and Cultural Center, south of Bergen.

Accommodation for the students: The veteranship M/S Sunnhordland

Accommodation and meals are included in the academy fee.

CONCERT PROGRAMME 2026
Thursday 25th of June
Concert with orchestra pieces and 16 arias

Sunday 28th of June
Excerpts from Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
Excerpts from Carmen by Bizet
Staged performances

THE FACULTY / ARTISTIC TEAM 2026
Directors and founders:
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 team:
 Ivar Emil Tindberg, stage director, writer and composer
Ann-Terese Aasen, assistant stage director, 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
Peter Mattei, baritone from Sweden, renowned for the title roles as Don Giovanni and Wozzeck at The Met 

Vocal coach:
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 & Ballet

QUESTIONS?
Do you have questions about our Summer Academy Opera by the Fjord?
Please contact info@bno.no

The Summer Academy Opera by the Fjord is presented by Bergen National Opera in collaboration with Oseana kunst- og kultursenter, and is supported by Grieg Foundation, Sparebankstiftelsen DnB, Talent Norge and The GC Rieber Foundations.

Photos from the Opera at the fjord concerts 2021, 2022 and 2023:

Academy photos from 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024: