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The northernmost orchestra in the world!

In the middle of a recession at a time when most governments in the world have problems financing the arts, Norway goes against the stream and creates a brand new symphony orchestra above the Arctic Circle.

The orchestra has been established as a new concept, with an entire region joining forces to develop an unrivalled cultural institution.

Nordnorsk Opera og Symfoniorkester AS (NOSO) was founded in June 2009 and is jointly owned by Bodø City Council and Tromsø City Council. The company consists of the two chamber ensembles Bodø Sinfonietta and Tromsø Chamber Orchestra, Nordnorsk Opera and Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra.  

The Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, together with their principal conductor Christian Lindberg has in its first year made an impressive career internationally, starting fall 2010 with a stunningly praised performance of Tchaikovsky 5^th  Symphony in Mariinsky Hall, St Petersburg by invitation of Maestro Valerij Gergiev. This was followed by a 14 days sold-out tour in China. Highlights for 2011 is concerts with Barbara Hendricks in northern Norway,  the beginning of a 5 year recording contract with BIS-records, and a major tour of Japan ending up in the prestigious Takemitsu Memorial Hall in Tokyo. On this tour the orchestra will perform Sibelius 2^nd  and Tchaikovsky 6^th  symphony, as well as accompanying Barbara Hendricks, Christian Ihle Hadland and Christian Lindberg in music by Grieg, Mozart and Ole Olsen.

The orchestra has also embarked on a major recording collaboration with the BIS label, including world première recordings of music by the most northerly composer in the world Ole Olsen, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and the Swan Lake Suite, the complete orchestral works of Franz Berwald, and contemporary concertos with world renowned Norwegian Tuba Player Öystein  Baadsvik.

Since the start in 2009 the orchestra has extensively toured the arctic region, and performed with such artists as Martin Fröst, Arve Tellefssen, Marianne Beate Kielland, Arvid Engegaard, Eldbjörg Hemsing, Thomas Söndergård, Inga Juuso, Christian Lindberg, Jörgen Karlström and Stephen Blanchett.

In August 2010 the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra and Christian Lindberg had a tremendous success in their debut as an opera orchestra. Together with top singers from the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet they toured the arctic region in Bizet’s opera Carmen. The main North Norwegian Newspaper Nordlys  wrote:

It has been extremely exciting to follow the progress of the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra. In less than one year the Principal Conductor, Christian Lindberg, has literally lifted the new orchestra up to international top level, making it ready to conquer the international stage. Last Monday evening they sounded better than ever. So perfectly in tune, so caressing, yet also so fierce when needed. I have given the wind players credit before, but on Monday they completely knocked me out, particularly the flutes. The orchestra played with a solidity and accuracy that one would only expect from a body of players with a much longer history, and there was no doubt that they followed every little signal from their conductor. This is an orchestra that I am absolutely sure will reach great heights even outside our territories.

The future of the orchestra looks extremely bright. The Norwegian Department of Culture and the two host communities Bodø and Tromsø are fully supporting this exciting project, and in addition to their prestigious recording contract with BIS, the international tours, world premières of pieces by both Norwegian and international composers, the orchestra will have a brand new hall built for them in 2014. For the opening concert the programme includes a world  première of a 35 minute piece by Jan Sandström, Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.

“An Explosive Mix” The London Times

“A Fantastic Premiére”  Nordlys

“We want more, a lot more”  Altaposten

“Norway’s northernmost extremes”  BBC Music Magazine

“Music and culture are influenced by the area they come from. Culture provides a sense of identity, roots and belonging”

Minister of the Arts and Church Affairs, Trond Giske

“The Creation of this new philharmonic orchestra is the biggest cultural event in Norway after the opening of the Opera House in Oslo last year.”

Minister of the Arts and Church Affairs, Trond Giske