The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera ( Norwegian: ''Trondheim Symfoniorkester & Opera'') is a

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

orchestra based in

Trondheim Trondheim ( , , ; sma, Tråante), historically Kaupangen, Nidaros and Trondhjem (), is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2020, it had a population of 205,332, was the third most populous municipality in Norway, and ...

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...

. Its principal concert venue is the

Olavshallen Olavshallen ( en, Olav Hall or Olav Concert Hall) was built in 1989 as a concert hall and is named after a historical tradition in Trondheim, Norway, the St. Olav tradition. The foundation stone was laid by HM King Olav V 22 July 1988. Olavshallen ...

. The orchestra is organised as a trust and receives public assistance from the

Norwegian government The politics of Norway take place in the framework of a parliamentary, representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the Council of State, the cabinet, led by the prime minister of Norway. Legislative power is ...

Trøndelag Trøndelag (; sma, Trööndelage) is a county in the central part of Norway. It was created in 1687, then named Trondhjem County ( no, Trondhjems Amt); in 1804 the county was split into Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag by the King of Denma ...

county and the municipality of Trondheim.

History

The precursor ensemble of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera held its first concert 10 December 1909, at the ''Frimurerlogen'' ('Masonic Lodge') in Trondheim, with an ensemble of 29 players. Through the 1920s, the orchestra's musical activities were modest, but this changed in the 1930s, with an increase in the availability of better-trained musicians and increased financial subsidies, to allow for increased (though not abundant) pay to the orchestra musicians. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, the Frimurerlogen was renamed the ''Deutsches Haus'', while the country was under German occupation, and the orchestra gave concerts in various Trondheim churches. Following World War II, the orchestra returned to the ''Frimurerlogen'' as its resident venue and remained there until 1989. In 1947, the orchestra created its first full-time posts for the musicians, which led to the establishment of the Trondheim Chamber Orchestra. In 1952, the orchestra established the Princess Astrid Music Award to recognize talented young Norwegian musicians, with pianist Kjell Bækkelund as the first winner. This competition continues to this day, held every two years. In 1962, Norwegian Radio (NRK) and the state of Norway formally took over control of the orchestra. In 1989, the

was completed, and the orchestra relocated from Frimurerlogen to the new concert hall that year. The orchestra currently consists of about 85 musicians, and gives around 100 concerts annually. In 2009, the orchestra started to develop a professional opera and musical theatre department. The orchestra's current chief conductor and artistic leader is Han-na Chang, since the 2017–2018 season. She had previously served as principal guest conductor of the orchestra, beginning with the 2013–2014 season. Her appointment as chief conductor occurred in March 2016. She is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of the orchestra. In November 2018, the orchestra announced the extension of Chang's contract as chief conductor through the 2022–2023 season. In September 2020, James Gaffigan first guest-conducted the orchestra. In February 2021, the orchestra named Gaffigan its new principal guest conductor, with immediate effect, with an initial contract of two seasons.

Artistic leaders and chief conductors

* Morten Svendsen (1909–1922) * S.A. Withammer (1922–1930) * Håkon Hoem (1930–1946) * Olav Kielland (1946–1947) * Arvid Fladmoe (1947–1950) * Finn Audun Oftedal (1950–1981) * Jiri Starek (1981–1984) * Leonid Grin (1985) *

Ole Kristian Ruud Ole Kristian Ruud (born 2 October 1958) is a Norwegian conductor. Ruud was born in Lillestrøm. He studied clarinet with Richard Kjelstrup at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He studied conducting at the Sibelius Academy and made his debut in Os ...

(1987–1995) *

Daniel Harding Daniel John Harding (born 31 August 1975) is a British conductor. Biography Harding was born in Oxford. He studied trumpet at Chetham's School of Music and was a member of the National Youth Orchestra at age 13. At age 17, Harding assembled ...

(1997–2000) *

Eivind Aadland Eivind Aadland (born 19 September 1956) is a Norwegian conductor and violinist. He has been concert master of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Aadland was Chief Conductor and Artistic Leader of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra between 2004– ...

(2003–2010) *

Krzysztof Urbanski Krzysztof () is a Polish given name, equivalent to English '' Christopher''. The name became popular in the 15th century. Its diminutive forms include Krzyś, Krzysiek, and Krzysio; augmentative – Krzychu Individuals named Krzysztof may choos ...

(2010–2017) * Han-na Chang (2017–present)

References

External links

Trondheim Symfoniorkester official Norwegian-language website
{{Authority control Norwegian orchestras Symphony orchestras Musical groups established in 1909 1909 establishments in Norway Musical groups from Trondheim