Operaorkestret: Ligeti/Rakhmaninov/Schumann at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

The Norwegian National Opera Orchestra is the mainstay of our activities. Without music, there can be no opera – and no dance. The orchestra’s concert series has been a great success, and become an important part of Oslo’s music scene. When the musicians are lifted out of the pit and onto the stage, becoming the evening’s leading performers and only point of focus, they are able to display their talent in an entirely different way than during our ballet and opera productions. Our opera house has also proven to be a fantastic concert hall, with world-class acoustics.

This season we are particularly proud to present the fruits of the collaboration with our new Musical Director, Karl-Heinz Steffens. In two concerts he will conduct the orchestra in the Main House – with works spanning from Mozart to Sibelius and Grieg. Audiences will also be able to experience his direction of three opera productions, as well as a concert version of Beethoven’s Fidelio.
LIGETI / RACHMANINOFF / SCHUMANN

The first concert of the year to feature the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra in the Main House starts at the heart of the romantic repertoire, with Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra. With its strong overtones of nostalgia and demand for virtuosic skill, this is a work that is held dear by many musicians.

The soloist is Romanian Alexandra Dariescu, one of the most prominent young pianists of our time.

Rachmaninoff composed his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini around 80 years after Robert Schumann had added the finishing touches to his Symphony no. 3. With its light, dark and swelling emotions, this symphony gives the instruments the opportunity to display the very best of their qualities.

The symphony is also known as the “Rhenish” symphony. Schumann composed it during a stay in Düsseldorf in 1850, and said that the history and power of the famousRhine river flowed through his mind during the creative process.

The musicians of the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra will now perform these masterpieces under the skilled direction of up-and-coming German conductor Clemens Schuldt.

Schuldt is principal conductor with München Kammerorkester from the 2016/2017 season. He is regarded as one of Germany’s most exciting young conductors, and has conducted orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.