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Operaorkestret
In recent years the Opera Orchestra has established itself among Norway's foremost orchestras. During the season they take part in around 160 opera and ballet performances, and each season they play three or four larger symphonic concerts on the Opera's main stage
The orchestra can trace its history back to 1827, more precisely to Strømbergs Theater, which was one of the first places where opera was performed in Norway. With the founding of Christiania Theater in 1837 and the opening of Nationaltheatret in 1899, these venues became the orchestra's main seat, until Den Norske Opera opened its doors at Youngstorget in 1959.
When Den Norske Opera & Ballett moved into its new landmark building in Bjørvika in 2008, the orchestra gained its own orchestral rehearsal hall and world-class acoustic working conditions.
After the creation of the symphonic concert series, great names such as Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Leif Segerstam, Alexander Lazarev, Michail Jurowski and Hartmut Haenchen have been guests at the Opera and created many magical moments with the orchestra. In addition to performances and concerts, the orchestra musicians also offer a self-produced chamber music series on Scene 2.
The musicians' most important collective aim is to create the best orchestral framework for the performances of Den Norske Opera & Ballett. The orchestra receives good reviews, also in foreign cultural media. For many years the orchestra has also had a fruitful musical collaboration with Rinaldo Alessandrini in, among others, Handel and Mozart operas, and with him as conductor they have released a critically acclaimed recording of opera overtures by W.A. Mozart. One can also enjoy the Opera Orchestra's contribution on recordings with the sopranos Eli Kristin Hanssveen and Marita Sølberg, conducted by John Helmer Fiore.
Photo: Joerg Wiesner
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