Bergen National Opera
Bergen National Opera presents world-class opera, from fully staged operas in Grieghallen, to festivals and concerts.
BNO’s major collaborators are Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra – one of the world’s oldest orchestras – and Edvard Grieg Korene. BNO is working with highly imaginative creative teams and internationally acclaimed singers.
Our casts combine dynamic young Nordic voices with celebrated international talents, and we are deeply committed to developing competence in all aspects of opera for the future. With the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra as our principal partner, BNO is increasingly attracting glowing media attention, and praise for its exciting programmes.
FROM THE PRESS
CANDIDE
6 out of 6 star reviews from Bergens Tidende and Bergensavisen
"Musical fireworks" - Bergensavisen
"A musical triumf" - Aftenposten
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
"Wagner on a high international level" - Aftenposten
"A classy, brilliant and colourful performance" - NRK
"This is Gesamtkunstwerk of the highest quality" - Klassisk musikk
"Elisabeth Teige's sensational voice and stage presence dominate the opera" - Opera Now
OTELLO
"Magnificent" - Bergens Tidende
"A very strong line-up of singers" - NRK Nyhetsmorgen
"A grand performance of Otello" - Klassisk Musikkmagasin
IL TURCO IN ITALIA
"A brilliant performanace" - NRK Spillerom
"Takes your breath away" - Bachtrack
PETER GRIMES
"A complete success"- The Times
"A highlight of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival" - The Guardian
"Another glorious triumph" - The Scotsman
"The best Peter Grimes I’ve ever seen" - The Spectator
I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI
"The score was delivered by a sensational line-up of singers, guided by conductor and Bellini expert Fabio Biondi"
"Soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan totally nailed Giulietta in this phenomenal and touching performance, her voice always crystal-clear whether on the softest of high notes or in the warmer lower registers."
"With her velvety mezzo, Nino Surguladze was equally dazzling as Romeo. The blend of voices was superb, with both women beautifully articulating the fragility and fierceness of teenagers in love."
"The production was simply framed by Ashley Martin-Davis' stunning black-and-white set, enhanced by Linus Fellbom's atmospheric lighting." - Opera Now
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
"Sae Kyung Rim's captivating performance as the ill-fated Butterfly was hugely impressive" - Opera Now
"Rame Lahaj with his full-bodied tenor voice and easy charm, was a compelling presence"- Opera Now
"The evening belonged to Sae Kyung Rim" - Klassekampen
6 out of 6 star reviews from Adresseavisen
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
"A witty and bewitching production from BNO" - Opera Now
"The Bergen Philharmonic gave a glowing account of Britten's sumptuous and dramatic score" - Opera Now
THE GOLDEN COCKEREL
'Top of the range soloists, dazzling direction and scenography.' 1 2 3 4 5 6. Espen Selvik, Bergens Tidende
'The production deserves to travel internationally.' Susan Nickalls, Classical Music Magazine
'What a fairy tale!' Yehuda Shapiro, Opera Magazine
FIDELIO
'A touching and deeply thoughtful performance.' Regine Müller, Opernwelt
'So, we had colour, spectacle, poignant story telling, glorious music, and extremely fine singing form the likes of young Rachel Nicholls as a passionate Leonore and the experienced In-Sung Sim as a blistering Rocco.' Ken Walton, The Scotsman
'While Nicholls's touching earnestness highlighted Leonore's knife-edge situation, Daniel Kirch captured Florestan's exhaustion, fear and exhalation with harrowing immediacy.' Yehuda Shapiro, Opera
MARCO POLO
'...a towering success'. Musical America
'Magnificent musical performances and a visually seductive production... kudos to Mary Miller, Bergen National Opera's director, for selecting such a challenging work to launch the city's annual arts festival...This stunning-looking new production benefits hugely from the input of the British director/designer and video artist Netia Jones.' Financial Times
THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN
'An ambitous, imaginative show that bubbled over with visual invention.' Yehuda Shapiro, Opera Magazine
'The Cunning Little Vixen is a fine indication of the ambitions of this fast-developing opera company on the west coast of Norway ... Imaginative and intriguing.' Neil Jones, Opera Now
'An ambitous, imaginative show that bubbled over with visual invention.' Yehuda Shapiro, Opera Magazine
