PROGRAM 2026
Baroque in the Northern Lights
A Tribute to the Baroque with Det Norske Blåseensemble and Berit Nordbakken
Berit Norbakken - soprano
Peter Whelan - Conductor
The Norwegian Wind Ensemble
Photo: Bård Gundersen
The Norwegian Blåseensemble will host the Northern Lights Festival for the first time in 2026, and will perform two major concerts. In Domkirka, the Baroque is to be celebrated, with works by the greatest composers of the era: Handel, Geminiani, Vivaldi and Monteverdi. The program will depict the light and dark sides of love, the silence and storms of nature. It will be a concert of dramatic twists, emotions and contrasts, not unlike our northern countryside.
Det Norske Blåseensemble is Norway's oldest orchestra in continuous operation, with roots going back to 1734, as a military corps. In 2003 they were converted into a civilian wind ensemble, and can demonstrate an impressive transformation from military corps existence to an internationally renowned orchestra. With contrast as a distinctive feature, and a wide repertoire, they have connected with important partners, both national and international.
In collaboration with its curator of early music, Peter Whelan, the Wind Ensemble has created a musical expression that excites and touches the audience. Whelan is a highly acclaimed conductor, who is also Artistic Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra. In 2026, he joins as musical director of the San Fransisco-based Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Peter Whelan loves to explore and elevate music from the Baroque era, and is looking forward to doing it for the first time in Tromsø.
Tromsø's own Berit Norbakken is the soloist in the concert and is one of Scandinavia's leading sopranos and possesses a rare versatile voice. She masters a wide repertoire and regularly works with leading ensembles, orchestras and conductors, in the largest concert halls worldwide.
Det Norske Blåseensemble's presence in musicianship is incredibly inspiring, and I constantly find that, with their uniqueness, they open up new exciting sides in music that may be familiar to many from before. Personally, I have always enjoyed working with the ensemble, and it is an extra pleasure to meet them at home, in a program that offers some of my absolute favorites from the Baroque period
The concert's composers shared a belief about creating music that moves, and they managed that. Music hits us right in the heart to this day. On the program are works that play on the light and dark sides of love, the silence and storms of nature. This will be a concert of dramatic twists, emotions and contrasts. Like Northern Norway, and just the way Det Norske Blåseensemble likes it.
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