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Our Own Opera Director, Randi Stene

Randi Stene is the new opera director.

We congratulate voice professor Randi Stene with her position as opera director in Oslo, beginning on 1 August 2020.

“We congratulate Randi with a distinguished and extremely important position within the Norwegian music community and congratulate the Opera with a wise and courageous choice. I am certain that this will further strengthen the collaboration between the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Opera,” says Principal Peter Tornquist.

Randi Stene has been connected with the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) since August 2009. “We are already starting to discuss how the situation affects us. The plans were that Randi would play a major role in building up the vocal studies here after a major generation change in 2020-2021. Luckily this process is already underway, with the advertisement of a full-time position as an associate professor in voice. In the meantime we are considering a number of alternatives with regard to future staff,” the principal says.

“Right now, we are primarily proud on behalf of Randi Stene and wish her the very, very best in her job as our own opera director,” Tornquist concludes.

Mezzo-soprano Randi Stene has performed at famous opera houses and concert halls throughout the world. Now she will be the director of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and will start planning future opera seasons as early as this spring. She is currently in the midst of rehearsals for Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin, where she will sing the role of Larina in a production that is planned to open on the main stage on 15 February.

Right now, we are primarily proud on behalf of Randi Stene and wish her the very, very best in her job as our own opera director.

Peter Tornquist Principal

“I have sung on many stages, but the Opera in Oslo has a very special quality. With its open, attractive architecture and unique acoustics it is as though the building is begging us to create great art,” says Randi Stene, the next director of the opera.

“I am pleased and proud to be able to present Randi Stene as our new opera director. She has a wide-ranging international singing career and is very involved in the art of opera and in talent development. In Randi Stene we have gained an ambitious, wise and unifying leader who will be able to boost the development of the National Opera along with our capable colleagues,” says Geir Bergkastet, managing director of the Opera.

The Board of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet voted unanimously to engage Randi Stene as the new opera director. At the same time the fixed-term contract of Ingrid Lorentzen, artistic director of the Norwegian National Ballet, was renewed.

Artistic Director Ingrid Lorentzen of the National Ballet and upcoming Opera Director Randi Stene are looking forward to working together.

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