Bergen International Festival: Gala concert

It will be a joyful occasion when Tine Thing Helseth invites you to a festive concert in Grieghallen with Ingrid Bjørnov and the Norwegian Naval Forces Band conducted by Ingar Bergby. The women – Tine and Ingrid – have enjoyed working together many times before, which is apparent when you see them on stage.

Wind bands are almost a sacred institution in Norway, bringing together as they do volunteers of all ages to add festivity to any occasion. Tine Thing Helseth started playing in a band at an early age, and band music has influenced her as an artist. Now at the age of 33 she has had an album go gold, won awards and grants, been a soloist with numerous orchestras, started her own festival and created her own ensemble TenThing. In 2007 she was the first classical musician ever to receive Spellemannsprisen (the Norwegian Grammy award) as newcomer of the year.

Ingrid Bjørnov is famous in Norway as the country’s humour queen at the piano keyboard. She made her breakthrough in the 1980s as half of the pop duo Dollie de Luxe. Dollie received two Spellemann awards and represented Norway in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. Three years later the Bergen International Festival commissioned a work from the duo, and the result was the first version of the rock opera Which Witch. Since then Ingrid has had a varied career, including three solo albums, television and radio programmes, books, musicals and five stage shows.

The Norwegian Naval Forces Band has roots back to 1792, and is an essential ingredient when wind band music is to be celebrated. This versatile military band is based at Bergenhus Fortress and is one of five professional wind bands in the Norwegian Armed Forces. It participates regularly in concerts, at festivals and plays a prominent role during ceremonies and parades throughout the country, always immaculately attired in uniform.