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Hardanger musikkfest - Ritar
4. nov. - 7. nov.
Lofthus
The theme of the festival in 2021 is "Ritar".
Hardanger Musikkfest was established by Stig Nilsson in 1996. The then concertmaster of Oslo Filharmoniske orkester had for some years been looking for a place where he could invite friends and colleagues to make music together, and create a festival based on positive relationships and good music.
He found the place in Hardanger, more precisely Ullensvang herad, where the culture office welcomed both him and the idea, and helped to realise and carry out the festival. The festival's centre has since the first year been Hotell Ullensvang in Lofthus, which with its fantastic qualities and beautiful surroundings is ideal for the festival, the performers and the audience.
Hardanger Musikkfest quickly established itself as one of the country's finest festivals for classical chamber music and folk music. The festival grew larger in the number of events and geographical spread in the region than Stig Nilsson could ever have dreamed of. Every year there are concerts in all three Hardanger municipalities Ullensvang herad, Odda and Eidfjord kommune, and the festival carries out 30-40 concerts and performances during the festival. From 2017 Jondal kommune was also included.
The artists invited to Hardanger Musikkfest always travel home tired but happy. There is a lot of work over 5 days, but the close contact with the audience, the music, the other artists and the dazzlingly beautiful nature of Hardanger makes it a joy for everyone involved. The audience is both local culture enthusiasts and visitors from near and far. In recent years foreign audience members have bought 1/6 of the tickets.
When Stig Nilsson chose to step back as artistic director in 2012, Anders Kjellberg Nilsson and Wolfgang Plagge were engaged as artistic directors.
After two fine festivals they chose to hand over the responsibility to one of the country's promising composers, Therese Birkelund Ulvo, and the singer Tora Augestad. They were artistic directors up to and including 2020. From 2021 Therese Birkelund Ulvo and Gunilla Süssmann are artistic directors.
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