History of the Bergen International Festival

World premieres 2021

The American Moth
World premiere, opening performance Wednesday 26 May in Griegsalen, Grieghallen and streamed online.
Produced by winter guests/Alan Lucien Øyen, and a coproduction with The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington D.C., The National Theatre and Concert Hall, Taipei, The Norwegian Opera & Ballett, Oslo

Hull & Sønn
World premiere in Fyllingsdalen Teater Thursday 27 May.
Hull & Sønn is based up author Frode Grytten and illustrator Marvin Halleraker’s book with the same name, published in 2004. The production is a collaboration between Yngve Seterås, Jan Holden from Dukketeaterverkstedet, Fyllingsdalen teater and Bergen International Festival.

Frå barnebok til framsyning 1 og 2
Premiere Sunday 30 May at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Stord campus. Two short performances from the world of books created by students at Stord for 4–5-year-olds. The performance was a part of Småspill, the Festival and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences new children’s art festival.

Carte Blanche: But Then, We’ll Disappear (I’d Prefer Not To)
World premiere Friday 04 June in Studio Bergen.
A coproduction with Carte Blanche, choreographed by Frédérick Gravel.

An dran drin drekt
World premiere by Kartellet’s street performance on Saturday 05 June, commissioned by the Arctic Arts Festival.

The Tempest
World premiere, closing concert Wednesday 09 June in Griegsalen, Grieghallen.
A cinematic edition of Arne Nordheim’s orchestral suite with video art by Sarah Derendinger, with soprano Mari Eriksmoen and baritone Johannes Weisser, together with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner.

Fredrik Saroea
World premiere Friday 28 May in Spissen in Grieghallen and streamed online.
The new album Rona Diaries performed by Fredrik Saroea and musicians from BIT20 Ensemble/Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra: Martin Shultz (violin), Liene Klava (viola), Agnese Rugevica (cello), Johannes Wik (harp).

Askjell
World premiere Monday 31 May in Håkonshallen.
Askjell’s debut album Everything will be ok was released in the spring of 2022, and this 2021 festival concert was the first live performance of the material.

Dark with Excessive Bright
BY MISSY MAZZOLI (1980–)
World premiere of the orchestral version of Dark with Excessive Bright at the concert Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with Peter Herresthal & Missy Mazzoli Wednesday 02 June in Griegsalen, Grieghallen, and streamed online.
Performed by Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by James Gaffigan.

Norwegische Polarlichter – Sonata for tuba and piano, op. 34
BY GOTTHARD ODERMATT (1974–)
World premiere at the concert Crescendo! Thursday 03 June in Håkonshallen and streamed online Saturday 05 June.

Sonata for tuba and piano, 1. movement
BY HARALD RAMM HAUGLAND (2002–)
World premiere at the concert Crescendo! Thursday 03 June in Håkonshallen and streamed online Saturday 05 June.

Five Elements
BY TORSTEIN AARGAARD-NILSEN (1964–)
World premiere Friday 04 June in Håkonshallen and streamed online. Five Elements is a commission from Edvard Grieg Choir, with music by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen and lyrics by Malin Kjelsrud. Performed by Edvard Grieg Choir.

World premieres 2020

Bergen International Festival 2020:

Morgon og kveld
By Jon Fosse
Produced by Det Vestnorske Teateret
World premiere online Thursday 21 May

hvorfor er jeg allergisk
By hei kalas
World premiere from Peer Gynt-salen in Grieghallen Saturday 23 May. The concert was on the original programme for the 2020 Festival.

Room of Organs
Do It Yourself Performance
By Climate Church Collective
World premiere online Saturday 30 May.

This Evening’s Performance Has Not Been Cancelled
By Zoë Irvine
Produced by Bergen Nasjonale Opera
World premiere by phone Sunday 31 May

Originally programmed for the 2020 Bergen International Festival:

Sløserikommisjonen
Co-production with BIT Teatergarasjen, Rosendal Teater and Traavik.info
World premieres planned for Lille Scene at Den Nationale Scene Wednesday 20 May and in the tent at Festplassen Sunday 31 May.

Carte Blanche
But Then, We'll Disappear (I'd Prefer Not To)
Co-production with Carte Blanche
World premiere planned for Thursday 21 May.

Future Opera
By Bára Gísladóttir and Peder Barrat-Due
Presented in collaboration with Bergen Nasjonale Opera and Íslenska óperan
World premiere planned for Saturday 23 May.

World Premieres 2019

Waiting
Griegsalen, Grieghallen, 22 May
Venter was produced by the Bergen International Festival in collaboration with Tivoli SommerKlassisk, Teatro Arriaga de Bilbao, Gothenburg Symphonist, Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Vilnius Festival.

ET!
Lille Scene, Den Nationale Scene, 23 May

Echo Flux
Studio Bergen, 23. mai

NAV betaler
Lille Scene, Den Nationale Scene, 31 May

Vetterusk
Amfiet, Fløyen, 02 June

Flyr over byen ("Flying over the city")
By Martin Horntveth
Performed during the Opening Ceremony at Edvard Griegs plass 22 May by members of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Boy Choir, Jaa9, Martin Horntveth, Morten Qvenild, Ivan Blomqvist, Bjørn-Christian Svarstad and Kristoffer Almås
Conductor: Håkon Matti Skrede

St. Matthews Passion with Isango Ensemble
New version of Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthews Passion, bwv 244, by Mandisi Dyantyis and Mark Dornford-May
Performed by Isango Ensemble in Oceana 30 May.

Four Psalms
Edvard Griegs Four Psalms, op. 74
In a new arrangement with fiddle interpolations by Tyrone Landau
Performed by Edvard Grieg Kor in Håkonshallen 24 May
Musical Leaders: Paul Robinson, Håkon Matti Skrede

Missa Convallo
By Martin Ødegaard
Performed by Bergen Cathedral in Bergen Cathedral on 29 May
Conductor: Kjetil Almenning

Missa de Lumine
By Tord Kalvenes
Performed by Bergen Cathedral Choir in Bergen Cathedral on 29 May
Conductor: Kjetil Almenning

Violin concerto for solo violin and sinfonietta
By Eivind Buene
New version for solo violin and sinfonietta
Performed by the Arctic Philharmonic's Sinfonietta and Peter Herresthal in Bergen Cathedral on 04 June
Conductor: Tim Weiss

World Premieres 2018

Andvake
Hordaland Teater, 23 May

The Road Is Just a Surface
Den Nationale Scene, 24 May

Carte Blanche: Soufflette
Studio Bergen, 24 May

Det utempererte klaver
Torgallmenningen, 25 May

Panini-BoysRoom by Vinge/Müller
Sentralbadet, 25 May

Nr. 5
Fana kulturhus, 26 May

Babettes gjestebud
Landås Lystgård, 27 May

Romeo og Julie
Møhlenpris skole, 05 June

Kascade
By Alon Ilsar (1981–)
Performed by Alon Ilsar and Amalie Stalheim on OPUS XVI 24 May.

Utspill fra Fløyen
By Gabriel Fliflet (1958–) og Erlend o. Nødtvedt (1984–)
Performed in the Skomakerdiket on 26 May by Gabriel Fliflet, Erlend O. Nødtvedt and others.

BAM!
By Staffan Mossenmark (1961–)
Performed at Festplassen 26 May

Backpack – Tour de Bergen
By Staffan Mossenmark (1961–)
Performed in the center of Bergen on 27 May

Wheels within Wheels: Mouvance I–III
The Mouvance I – III concert series completed a three-year artistic research project, Wheels within Wheels, at the University of Bergen. The project was led by Jostein Gundersen, and the international team included composers Alwynne Pritchard and Ruben Sverre Gjertsen in addition to the ensemble Currentes.

Mouvance I:
Performance at St. Mary's Church, 27 May
Mouvance II:
Performance in the store T-Michael, 28 May
Mouvance III:
Performance in Håkonshallen, 29 May

Vatican trilogy
By Cecilie Ore (1954–)
1. Dead Pope On Trial!
2. The Pregnant Pope!
3. The Fig Leaf Campaign!
Performed by the vocal sextet Nordic Voices in Håkonshallen, 02 June

Six Orphic Amulets for Vocal and Saxophone Quartet
By Ørjan Matre (1979–)
Commissioned and premiered by Nordic Voices and NoXaS in Håkonshallen 02 June

World Premieres 2017

Sustain
Directed by Vibeke Flesland Havre.
Cornerteateret, 25 May

Carte Blanche: While they are floating
Studio Bergen, 26 May

AlgoRitmo
Logen Teater, 29 May

Solitude
Cornerteateret, 01 June

The Tiger Lillies: Edgar Allan Poe’s Haunted Palace
Den Nationale Scene, 06 June

Nordvegen
By Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjørnson
Performed by Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjørnson and others at Hotel Ullensvang, Ullensvang (25 May), in Hengjo, Bekkjarvik (27 May), Solstrand Hotel and Oseana, Os (28 May) and Moster Amfi, Bømlo (05 June).

Concordia for violin og cello
By Kaija Saariaho
Performed by Jakob Kullberg and Aliisa Barrière in Håkonshallen 30 May.
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival.

Hugsjá
By Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjørnson
Performed by Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjørnson and others in Grieghallen 31 May.

Bicycle Symphony
Ole André Farstad, Sindre Sortland and Arne Sandvoll
Performed by BIT20 Ensemble and students from Skranevatnet school at Torgallmenningen 02 June.

Sea Change
By Eivind Buene
Performed by Guro Kleven Hagen, Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad, Kian Soltani and London Sinfonietta in Håkonshallen 02 June.
Commissioned work for Crescendo soloists Guro Kleven Hagen, Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad and Kian Soltani, and London Sinfonietta.

Spirit
By Rolf Wallin
Performed by Ida Nielsen and London Sinfonietta in Håkonshallen 02 June
Commissioned for Ida Nielsen and London Sinfonietta.

In between clouds
By Christine Sandtorv
Performed by Christine Sandtorv and others in Logen 02 June

World Premieres 2016

Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht!
Directed by Peter Konwitschny
Logen, 26 May
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival, Theater Chur and Theater Trier.

by Carte Blanche with Anneli Drecker
Grieghallen, 06 June
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival and Carte Blanche - The Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance

En plass i solen (Folkets festspillscene)
Directed by Vibeke Flesland Havre
Den Nationale Scene, Lille Scene 27 May
In collaboration with Den Nationale Scene.

I slik ei natt
Directed by Ivar Tindberg
Moster Amfi, Bømlo, 27 May
Produced by Bømlo Theater in collaboration with the Bergen International Festival.

Oldschool with Absence
By Absence
Festspillplassen Melodonten, 01 June

Treet
By Kompani 13
Cornerteateret, 28 May

Kjære Europa (Dear Europe)
Directed by Uwe Cramer
The National Scene, Lille Scene, 06 June
Produced by Kristian & Uwe. In collaboration with Kristian & Uwe, Dramatikkens hus and Den Nationale Scene.

Carte Blanche: We Are Here Together
Studio Bergen, 26 May
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival and Carte Blanche.

Apparatjik w/Buika and Void
Grieghallen, Peer Gynt hall, 03 June

Angel of the North
Performed by Marius Neset, Anton Eger, Petter Eldh and Sjøforsvarets musikkorps in Bergen Cathedral, 06 June
In collaboration with the Sjøforsvarets musikkorps and Marius Neset.

Asamisimasa - Music with the Real
By Henrik Hellstenius and Carola Bauckholt
Performed by Asamisimasa at Cornerteateret on 26 May

Fliflet og forfatterne - Sanger fra byen
by Gabriel Fliflet, Frode Grytten, Stig Holmås, et al.
Performed at Logen 29 May

Fargespill with KORK
Performed in Grieghallen, Griegsalen 30 May

Séance
by Harald Zwart
Concert version of upcoming musical performed in Grieghallen, Griegsalen 30 May

Last spring
by David Lang
Performed by Edvard Grieg Kor during the concert Våre korte liv på jorden in Håkonshallen 31 May

World Premieres 2015

Adam & Eve - A Divine Comedy
Logen Teater, 28 & 29 May

Carte Blanche: Birthmark
Studio Bergen, 29 May–09 June

Kafka feat. Röyksopp
Den Nationale Scene, Store Scene, 28–31 May

Folkets Festspillscene - Det var en gang et menneske
Den Nationale Scene, Lille Scene, 29 May–03 June, and 06 June

DUB Leviathan!
Cornerteateret, 28 May–05 June

Obra
USF Verftet, 28 May

Fri
Nygårdsparken, 30 & 31 May

EROS
Bergen Kjøtt, 31 May–02 June

Provokatøren
Torgallmenningen, 03–06 June

Chant d'amour
By Ørjan Matre
Performed by Endre Rydland Vetås (trombone) during the Opening Ceremony at Torgallmenningen 27 May
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival

Three Nocturnal Movements
By Per Nørgård
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival, DR Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Performed during the Nordic Prism concert in Grieghallen 06 June by Peter Herresthal (violin), Jakob Kullberg (cello) and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Der Bach an der Quelle
By Lene Grenager
Performed by Ernst Simon Glaser (cello) on Siljustøl, 30 May

Excerpt from Bulls'hit
By Olav Anton Thommessen
Performed by Christopher Tun Andersen, Lysøen on 30 May and by Miriam Helms Ålien, Lysøen on 06 June

sE Det VAR Det
Performed by Ingrid Andsnes (piano) in Troldsalen, 06 June

Eg søv, men hjartet vaker
By Nils Henrik Asheim
Performed by Ensemble Allergia and Ane Dahl Torp in Håkonshallen 04 June

Ut av skogen
By Gisle Martens Meyer
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival. Performed by Ugress on Family Day at Siljustøl 07 June

Incinerator
By Felix Kubin
SITUATIONS 12: Announcement
By François Sarhan
Plans for an opera
By Øyvind Torvund
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO(THING)
By Gerhard Stäbler
Anti Internet Piece
By Trond Reinholdtsen
Ritual - I
By Hollie Harding
Liber Canis
By Adam de la Cour
LostDOG
By Helmut Oehring
Metamorphosis
By Vinko Globokar

The nine latter works were performed by Alwynne Pritchard under DOG/GOD at Østre 04 June

World Premieres 2014

Nordisk messe
by Sven David Sandström
Performed by Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir in Håkonshallen 23 May
Comissioned by the Bergen International Festival and Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir

Grønne glimt
by Lasse Thoresen
Performed by Nordic Voices and others in Håkonshallen 31 May
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival

Pantomime, from Papillon
by Bent Sørensen
Performed by Esbjerg Ensemble in Troldsalen, 23 May
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival and Esbjerg Ensemble Festival and dedicated to Katrine Gislinge and Esbjerg Ensemble

Realismos Magicos
by Rolf Wallin
Performed by Colin Currie in Logen Theater, 03 June
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival, Wigmore Hall and Sound Festival

Cadenza - to the violin concerto by Ligeti
by Thomas Adès
Performed by Peter Herresthal and Esbjerg Ensemble at Logen Bar, 22 May
Comissioned by the Bergen International Festival, Kringkastingsorkesteret and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra

Felix Remix
by Olav Anton Thommessen
Performed by the Engegård Quartet in Håkonshallen, 25 May

Tundra Songs
by Peter Tornquist
Performed by Victoria Johnson et al. in Logen Teater, 25 May

Messenger of Spring
by Gerhard Stäbler
Performed by Victoria Johnson et al. in Logen Teater, 25 May

H minor
by Håkon Thelin
Performed by Unni Løvlid and Håkon Thelin in Valestrand, 01 June

Hav (Ocean)
by Jon Fosse
Performed at Gimle, 22 May
Presented and commissioned by the Bergen International Festival, Bondeungdomslaget in Oslo, the Norwegian Theater and Hordaland Theater
Produced by Bondeungdomslaget

Kardemomyang
by Morten Traavik
Performed by Kum Song Middle School No. 1 in Logen Teater 22 May
Commissioned by the Bergen International Festival

Stemmer
by Orlando Gough
Performed in Grieghallen, 21 May
Presented by Bergen International Festival and Bergen National Opera in collaboration with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Den Nationale Scene
Produced by Bergen National Opera

iPlay uPlay wePlay
by Thomas Sandberg
Performed at Cornerteateret, 03 June
Supported by the Grieg Foundation

Sånne som oss
by Frode Grytten
Performed by John Olav Nilsen et al. at Den Nationale Scene, 10 May
Produced by Den Nationale Scene

A collection of short stories
by Ine Christel Johannesen
Performed by Carte Blanche in Studio Bergen, 24 May
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival and Carte Blanche

Always been a good girl
by Karoline Krüger and Mike McGurk
Performed by Karoline Krüger et al. in Logen Teater, 30 May
Presented in collaboration with HiHat Management

Pearl of Scandinavia
by Christopher Grøndahl
Performed at the National Scene 22 May
A co-production between Bergen International Festival, Kompani Camping and Den Nationale Scene

World premieres 2013

Murmuration
by Phase7
Performed at Festplassen May 22

Marco Polo
by Tan Dun
Performed in Grieghallen May 22
Directed by Netia Jones
A co-production between Bergen National Opera, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and KorVest

Coelacanth
by Alan Lucien Øyen and Andrew Wale
Performed at The National Scene on May 23 and performed at The Norwegian Opera & Ballet in October of the same year
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival, Winter Guests, The Norwegian Opera & Ballet and Carte Blanche, in collaboration with the National Theater.

Origin of Species
by Jo Strømgren
Performed at Logen Teater 23 May
A co-production between the Bergen International Festival, Mungo Park Theater and Jo Strømgren Kompani

Sprang
by Lasse Thoresen
Performed by the Trondheim soloists and the Hemsing sisters in Håkonshallen on May 23

Wolfgaang!
by Sjur Hjeltnes and Tor Jaran Apold
Performed in the Skate Hall at Studio Bergen on June 1st
Produced in collaboration with Hordaland county municipality

I rørsle (Moving)
by Knut Vaage
for piano trio (violin, cello, piano, additional instruments: playing piano and keyboard)
Performed at Knut Vaage's home on June 1st
Commissioned by Einar Røttingen / Valen Trio

Heilage Sunniva – ein hyllest
by Therese Birkeland Ulvo and Maria Tryti Vennerød
Performed at Heilagøya Selja on June 1st
Produced in collaboration with Bjørgvin Diocese, Selje municipality and Gloppen Musikkfest

Skram vs. Kråkevik – Jeg trenger å slå med vingene
by Herborg Kråkevik and Morten Borgersen:
Performed at the National Scene June 03
Produced in collaboration with AD Artist Management, Bergen International Festival, The National Scene and Oslo New Theater.

Not here / Not ever
by Carte Blanche
Performed in Grieghallen June 03
Produced in collaboration with Carte Blanche and L'Onde Théâtre et Center D'Art Vélizy-Villacoublay

World premieres 2012

Happy Days in the Art World
by Elmgreen & Dragset
Produced in collaboration with Performa and The Royal Theater.
Performed during the Performa Festival in New York November 2011. Played at the Royal Theater in Copenhagen May 30 to June 02, 2011.

Fatzer by Bertolt Brecht
under the direction of Tore Vagn Lid, Bergen Transit Theater.
In collaboration with the National Theater. Premiere at Logen Theater on May 25. Played at the Fatzertage festival in Mülheim 22-23. June. Performs at the National Theater December 6 and 7.

Trollkrittet
based on the children's book by Zinken Hopp with Adele Duus Lærum and Gunvor Rasmussen. Comissioned by the Bergen International Festival. Premiere May 26, 2012. Played in various arenas in Bergen region in 2012.

World premieres 2011

Self portrait in a bright light
by Henrik Hellstenius
Performed in the Logen Theater on Wednesday, June 1st by the Cikada Ensemble

The moon eats humans
by Henrik Hellstenius
Performed at the Logen Theater on Friday June 03 by Ultron Concept

± 0
directed by Christoph Marthaler. Co-production with Katuaq Nuuk; Folk stage in the Rosa-Luxemburg-square; Wiener Festwochen; The Royal Theater, Copenhagen; Stockholm City Theater; Kampnagel Hamburg; London 2012 Cultural Olympics; Theater de la Ville-Paris and Festival d'Automne in Paris.
Premiere Nuuk April 27, 2011.

Oedipus Rex
by Igor Stravinsky, directed by Eirik Stubø. Own production in collaboration with The New Opera. Premiere May 24, 2011.

World premieres 2010

Se dette mennesket/Voices
(Commissioned / premiere)
under the direction of Calixto Bieito
Co-production with the Betty Nansen Theater, Copenhagen
Also shown at the Festival Internacional de las Artes de Castilla y León, Salamanca, Spain, in July 2010 and the Betty Nansen Theater in Copenhagen in autumn 2010
Residence Theater, Munich, October 2011.

Anne Pedersdotter
by Edvard Fliflet Bræin. Directed by Knut Hendriksen. Own production in collaboration with The New Opera.

Year of the season (commissioning / premiere)
by Fliflet / Fosse
Also shown during the Dei Nynorske Festspela 2010, and during folk BALTICA in Flensburg, Germany in April 2011.

World premieres 2009

Elephant Stories
(Commissioned / premiere)
by Tore Vagn Lid / Transiteatret:
Co-production with the National Theater in Oslo, where the play was also shown during the Contemporary Festival 2009

Sounds Like You
(Commissioned / premiere)
by Bent Sørensen, directed by Katrine Wiedemann
Co-production with Danish Radio and The New Opera
Also on display at the Oslo Concert Hall in November 2010

Vildanden (“The Wild Duck”)
by Henrik Ibsen, Director / Scenography: Vegard Vinge / Ida Müller
Also shown at the Black Box Theater in Oslo in 2010
Nominated for the Hedda Award 2010 for this year's performance
The ensemble nominated for the Critic Award 2010

World premieres 2008

Ambra
by Carte Blanche / Iceland Dance Company:
Co-production with the Reykjavik Arts Festival
Also shown at the Reykjavik Arts Festival 2008 and in the Bærum cultural center in 2008

Brand
by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Calixto Bieito
Co-production with the National Theater in Oslo, where the play was also shown in 2009

Solbøn
Lasse Thoresen
Received the Nordic Council Composer Award 2010

World premieres 2007

The Maβnahme
by Bertolt Bercht, directed by Tore Vagn Lid
Co-production with Transiteatret-Bergen
Also shown during the Salzburg Festival 2008, Austria

Eg er vinden (commissioned)
by Jon Fosse, directed by Eirik Stubø
Co-production with the National Theater in Oslo
Also shown at the National Theater in Oslo during the Contemporary Festival 2007 and during The Poetry International Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 2010
Nominated for the 2008 Hedda Award for Best Scenography: Kari Gravklev

World premieres 2006

Peer Gynt
by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Calixto Bieito
Also featured in 2006 under:
Festival Internacional de las Artes de Castilla y León in Salamanca, Spain
Festival Grec, Barcelona, Spain
The Ibsen Festival in Oslo
Festival de Otoño in Madrid, Spain
Festival Temporada Alta in Girona, Spain
Atrium Viladecans in Barcelona, Spain

Skuggar ("Shadows")(commissioned)
by Jon Fosse, directed by Falk Richter
Co-production with the National Theater in Oslo, where the play was also shown in 200