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Culture
Oslo, as one would expect of a capital city, has a lively and varied arts scene, and regularly attracts internationally-known artists to its stages and concert halls. Norwegians are proud of their cultural heritage, no doubt partly due to their centuries of domination by Denmark and Sweden.
Tickets to virtually all performances in Oslo, from concerts to sporting events, can be purchased at any post office. Tickets can also be ordered from Billett Service (tel: 81 53 31 33; website: www.billettservice.no or www.ticketmaster.no), to be picked up at the post office later or can be mailed to addresses abroad.
Music: The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra presents two concerts weekly (except in July and in the first part of August) in the Konserthuset, Munkedamsveien (tel: 23 11 31 00; website: www.oslokonserthus.no), in the centre of the city. The Norwegian Opera, Storgaten 23 (tel: 23 31 50 00, bookings 81 54 44 88; website: www.operaen.no), also in the centre of town, offers daily performances of operas and ballets, from the beginning of September through to May. The Radio Orchestra and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra present concert series in various venues in the city, as does the Oslo Sinfonietta (tel: 22 42 70 95; website: www.oslosinfonietta.no), which has been dedicated to presenting contemporary music since 1985. The old Aula of the University of Oslo, Karl Johansgate (tel: 22 85 95 55), has excellent acoustics, making it one of the most sought after venues for musical events. Also popular is Gamle Logen, Grev Wedels Plass (tel: 22 33 44 70; website: www.logen.no), composer Edvard Grieg’s concert hall, now restored to its original glory. The State Academy of Music, Gydas Vei (tel: 23 36 70 00; website: www.nmh.no), presents the most extensive programme of concerts in Oslo, most of which are free, although some are not open to the public. The Oslo Cathedral Choir sings both contemporary and traditional pieces, giving occasional concert performances, as well as participating in services. Other concerts are also occasionally staged in the cathedral.
Theatre: General information about Norwegian theatre can be found at www.teaternett.no. The ornate, hundred-year-old National Theatre of Oslo, Stortings plass 15 (tel: 22 00 14 00; website: www.nationaltheatret.no), presents mainly Norwegian plays. The International Ibsen Stage Festival takes place here every other year. The National Theatre has two stages in this historic building and another in the Torshovteatret, Vogts gate 64, in the east of Oslo, where the company presents more experimental work. The other major company in Oslo is the Norwegian Theatre, Kristian IV’s Gate 8 (tel: 22 42 43 44; website: www.detnorsketeatret.no), which performs in the second form of the Norwegian language, Nynorsk (new Norwegian). Oslo Nye Teater, Rosenkrantzgate (tel: 22 34 86 80; website: www.oslonye.no), presents a variety of genres on its four stages, Hovedscenen, Centralteatret, Cafescenen and Dukketeatret (puppet theatre).
Dance: In common with much of central Europe, Norway has a strong tradition of folk dance, featuring mazurkas and polkas. International and Norwegian performers regularly appear at Dansens Hus, Kristian IVs Gate (tel: 81 53 31 33; website: www.dansenshus.com). In the summer there are twice weekly performances of folk dancing at the Konserthuset, (see Music). On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in July and August, a traditional ‘Norwegian Evening’ including folk dance, is staged at the Norsk Folkemuseum, on Bygdy (see Sightseeing). The Norwegian National Ballet performs at home, at the Norwegian Opera, Storgaten 23 (tel: 23 31 50 00, bookings 81 54 44 88; website: www.operaen.no), and tours extensively, featuring top Norwegian dancers and guest performers from abroad. It presents a varied repertoire, featuring both traditional and contemporary pieces. International and Norwegian performers regularly appear at Dansens Hus.
Film: General information about what’s on in Oslo cinemas can be found at www.oslokino.no. There are numerous cinemas in central Oslo including the Colosseum, Frdidtjof Nansens vei , the Eldorado, Torggata 9, and Vika Kino, Ruselkkveien. The central booking line for all the mainstream cinemas is 82 03 00 00. Films in Norway are shown in the original language with subtitles, with the exception of children’s films, which are usually overdubbed. Alternative and classic films are shown at Norsk Filminstitutt, Dronningens gate 16 (tel: 22 47 45 00).
Literary Notes: Literature thrives in Norway, although relatively little of it has been translated into English. Among the best known Norwegian writers who lived and worked in Oslo are Bjrnstjerne Bjrnson, who was the first Norwegian writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1903. His great friend and rival, Henrik Ibsen, never received that honour, although posterity has been kinder to him. Like Bjrnson, he was not a native of Oslo but moved there in 1850, writing two plays, Catilina, a tragedy, and The Burial Mound, in that first year. He had hopes of studying to become a doctor, however, after failing the university entrance examinations in 1851, Ibsen moved to Bergen to work in a small theatre. By 1857, he was back as director of the new Norwegian (Norske) Theatre and then later of the Christiania Theatre. In 1864, Ibsen received an award for foreign travel from the government and travelled abroad for the next 27 years, returning to Norway only for brief visits. In the 1870s, he worked with composer Edward Grieg on the premiere of Peer Gynt (1867). He returned permanently to Norway in 1891 and died in Oslo on 23 May 1906.
Knut Hamsun was the second Norwegian writer to receive the Nobel Prize, in 1920. Originally from the Central Valley, he moved to Oslo in 1878, where he lived in poverty for a while, before going off to wander the United States of America. His later life was shadowed by his support of the Nazis. Two of his most famous novels are Hunger (1890) and Growth of the Soil (1917). In contrast, Sigrid Undset, who grew up in Oslo and wrote her early novels there, was a member of the resistance and an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime. Her work was banned by the Nazis and she was forced to flee in exile to America, until the war was over. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. Her most famous book is Kristin Lavransdatter (1920-1922), a historical novel set in Norway in the 14th century.
The best known contemporary writer is Jostein Gaarder, who received the Norwegian Literary Critics award in 1990 for The Solitaire Mystery. His 1991 novel, Sophie’s World, about the history of philosophy, has been translated into 40 languages and made into a film.
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Culture