Back to festivals
Go to websiteSee all editions of Hardanger musikkfest (7)
Hardanger Musikkfest
31. aug. - 3. sep.
Lofthus
The theme of the 2023 festival is "Grøde" (Growth).
Hardanger Musikkfest was established by Stig Nilsson in 1996. The then concertmaster of the Oslo Philharmonic 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 cultural 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 Hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus, which, with fantastic qualities and beautiful surroundings, is ideal for the festival, the performers and the audience alike.
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 in geographical spread in the region than Stig Nilsson could ever have dreamed. The festival has a rich history with concerts in all the Hardanger municipalities, and 30-40 concerts and performances during the festival.
The artists invited to Hardanger Musikkfest always travel home tired but happy. There is a lot of work over several days, but the close contact with the audience, the music, the other artists and the radiantly beautiful nature in Hardanger makes it a joy for everyone involved. The audience is both local culture enthusiasts and visitors from near and far.
When Stig Nilsson chose to step down 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 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.
Concerts
Loading concerts …
Scandinavia's largest newsletter about classical music
Get an overview of upcoming concerts, festivals and selected recommendations from across the region.