Berit Opheim
Encyclopedia
Berit Opheim Versto is a Norwegian singer, known for her interpretations of folk music
.
She studied at Bergen Musikkonservatorium (1987–90) and Norges Musikkhøgskole (1990–92), and has worked since 1992 for the Ole Bull-akademiet in Voss
, as well as engagements at NTNU
and Norges Musikkhøgskole.
Opheim was the front figure in Orleysa (multiple releases), a soloist in Bergen Domkantori (release in 1990). A recording of kveding (a traditional Norwegian singing style) from Urnes stavkirke resulted in her debut Eitt steg (NorCD, 1996) which won her a Spellemannprisen
nomination. A long-held interest in history resulted in the book Solè mi sela (Ole Bull-akademiet, 1996), a collection of texts from Voss
.
She has led the Småkvedarane from Voss
to a release (NorCD, 1998) and has also been active in the Voss Spellemannslag. She has also worked on many releases by Utla.
Recently, she has been a soloist with the BIT20 Ensemble
on a number of records, won the Landskappleiken, played the role of Månefruva (The Queen of the Night) in a folk music
version of The Magic Flute
, with the Rikskonsertene (2004) and won the Gammleng-prisen in the folk music category in 2003. In 2005 she performed with «Sullekoppane» (Ole Hamre and Yngve Ådland).
In the «BNB» trio, she has since 1998 played with the violinist Nils Økland
and Bjørn Kjellemyr on bass. The released Ein song for dei utsungne stunder (2L, 2005) with their own compositions.
Opheim was a soloist in the song for Dei nynorske festspela 2006, Ny rørsle by Karl Seglem.
Her other release is Den blide sol (NorCD, 2007) with organist Sigbjørn Apeland recorded at Voss kirke.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
.
She studied at Bergen Musikkonservatorium (1987–90) and Norges Musikkhøgskole (1990–92), and has worked since 1992 for the Ole Bull-akademiet in Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
, as well as engagements at NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology , commonly known as NTNU, is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology...
and Norges Musikkhøgskole.
Opheim was the front figure in Orleysa (multiple releases), a soloist in Bergen Domkantori (release in 1990). A recording of kveding (a traditional Norwegian singing style) from Urnes stavkirke resulted in her debut Eitt steg (NorCD, 1996) which won her a Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen is an award presented to Norwegian musicians for their contributions.-Operation:The award was established on the initiative of International Federation of the Phonographic Industry , an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide...
nomination. A long-held interest in history resulted in the book Solè mi sela (Ole Bull-akademiet, 1996), a collection of texts from Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
.
She has led the Småkvedarane from Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
to a release (NorCD, 1998) and has also been active in the Voss Spellemannslag. She has also worked on many releases by Utla.
Recently, she has been a soloist with the BIT20 Ensemble
BIT20 Ensemble
BIT20 Ensemble is a contemporary music ensemble from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1989 for the purpose of performing and advancing Norwegian and international art music....
on a number of records, won the Landskappleiken, played the role of Månefruva (The Queen of the Night) in a folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
version of The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
, with the Rikskonsertene (2004) and won the Gammleng-prisen in the folk music category in 2003. In 2005 she performed with «Sullekoppane» (Ole Hamre and Yngve Ådland).
In the «BNB» trio, she has since 1998 played with the violinist Nils Økland
Nils Økland
Nils Andreas Økland was a Norwegian Esperantist and teacher in Stord , Norway. His father Matthias Larsen Økland was also a school teacher and a church chorister; his mother was Signi Nilsdatter from Eidsvåg...
and Bjørn Kjellemyr on bass. The released Ein song for dei utsungne stunder (2L, 2005) with their own compositions.
Opheim was a soloist in the song for Dei nynorske festspela 2006, Ny rørsle by Karl Seglem.
Her other release is Den blide sol (NorCD, 2007) with organist Sigbjørn Apeland recorded at Voss kirke.
External links
- biography from Norsk Musikkinformasjon