Young singers, instrumentalists and conductors have worked intensely for several days, guided by their coaches, at the Summer Academy Opera at the fjord 2023. They are now ready for the staged concert with highlights from La bohème by Puccini and Die Fledermaus by Strauss II.

You can meet Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, Prins Orlofsky, Adele and other famous opera personalities, interpreted by the 14 singers. 25 young instrumentalists will play in the academy orchestra together with top professionals from renowned opera and symphony orchestras in Scandinavia and Vienna, who also will be their section leaders and mentors. This year's concert master is Maxim Brilinsky, 1st violinist from the Wiener Philharmoniker.

ARTISTIC TEAM 2023

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

Vocal coaches:
Solveig Kringlebotn, soprano and professor at the Academy of Opera in Oslo and Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo
Kristin Okerlund, pianist and vocal coach from the Wiener Staatsoper
Hans-Otto Ehrström, pianist and vocal coach from Finnish National Opera in Helsinki

Orchestra coaches:
1st violin: Maxim Brilinsky, leader of the 1st violin section, Wiener Philharmoniker
2nd violin: Miriam Bergset, Ensemble Allegria, freelance violinist
Viola: James Opie, co-principal viola, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra in Stockholm
Cello: Kati Raitinen, solo cello, 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
Steffen Blindheim, solo english horn and oboe, Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Brass:
Rune Brodahl, solo horn, The Norwegian Opera & Ballet

The summer academy Opera by the fjord is presented by Bergen National Opera in collaboration with Oseana kunst- og kultursenter and supported by the Grieg Foundation, Sparebankstiftelsen DnB, Talent Norge, Vestland fylkeskommune and the GC Rieber Foundations.