Philharmonic Choral Collaboration

71 singers will soon leave Bergen to take part in the first part of the project with concerts at Oslo Konserthus on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November. Cristian Măcelaru will conduct the Oslo Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Oslo Philharmonic Choir, and soloists Jamie Barton, Robin Tritschler, and Derek Welton in Elgar’s magnificent oratorio. In April of next year, the singers from Oslo will travel to Bergen for performances with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is likely no coincidence that this work has been included in the programme shortly after the appointment of British conductor Simon Halsey as Artistic Director for Choral Activities at the Oslo Philharmonic, effective in 2025.

“I haven’t been in Norway long, but I’ve already fallen in love with its musicians, amateur and professional!”

Simon Halsey and Håkon Matti Skrede, chorus master for the Bergen Philharmonic, first met about twenty years ago in Copenhagen. Simon Halsey was conducting a masterclass for choral conductors, and Håkon Matti Skrede invited him to Bergen. Halsey has been a great source of support in the development of KorVest (now Edvard Grieg Kor), and his vocal-symphonic expertise has been instrumental to the success seen across several of Bergen’s choral communities.

“Simon Halsey occupies a unique position in his field. He has elevated the profile of the chorus master, demonstrating that it is an important, professional role. Much of the success we have achieved with the Bergen Philharmonic Choir and the Edvard Grieg choirs is a result of what I have learned from him," says Skrede, when we have a chat in his office the week before his Bergen singers depart for Oslo.

What perhaps not many people in Bergen know is that we share a chorus master with the Oslo Philharmonic. When Halsey was appointed in Oslo, he brought in Skrede to develop the Oslo Philharmonic Choir. Håkon Matti Skrede has served as chorus master for the Oslo Philharmonic Choir since 2025. Since his appointment, he has focused on professionalisation and recruitment, as well as enhancing the singers’ vocal technique.

Several of the singers in the Oslo Philharmonic Choir have a background in its sister choir in Bergen. What all the singers have in common is that they dedicate a great deal of time to their choir, creating spaces for connection, both musically and on a personal level.

The 71 singers now traveling to Oslo to take part in the project are either taking days off or bringing their work along with them across the mountains. Furthermore, they are contributing financially, staying in hotels or with friends, and sacrificing all their free time this week to sing alongside their colleagues from Oslo.

“What a wonderful opportunity for me to work alongside my friend Håkon Matti Skrede and his famous Bergen choir and to welcome them to join our Oslo Filharmoniske Kor for my favourite choral work - Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius (written for Birmingham where I lived and worked for 45 years until coming to Norway).

The concert will include nearly 300 performers; it’s a rare opportunity to discover this celebrated work and to witness what I’m sure will be the start of regular collaborations!”, says Simon Halsey.

You can hear The Dream of Gerontius on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November at Oslo Konserthus, and on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 April at Grieghallen.

The performances in Bergen will mark Sir Mark Elder’s final appearance in his role as Principal Guest Conductor of Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. The solo parts will be sung by Beth Taylor, William Thomas, and Nicky Spence (whom some may remember from this year’s Last Night of the Proms. Singers from Oslo will return to join the stage alongside Edvard Grieg Kor, Collegium Musicum Choir, and Bergen Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra.

Text: Sunniva Øiestad