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: 8153 3133; 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: 2311 3100; website:
www.oslokonserthus.no), in the center of the city. The
Norwegian National Opera, Storgaten 23 (tel: 2331 5000
or 8154 4488 for bookings; website:
www.operaen.no), also in the center of town, offers daily performances of operas and ballets, from the beginning of September through to May. A new opera house is currently under construction at the harbor in Bjørvika on the south eastern fringe of Oslo and is scheduled to open in 2008. The
Radio Orchestra and the Norwegian
Chamber Orchestra present concert series in various venues in the city, as does the
Oslo Sinfonietta (tel: 2242 7095; 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: 2285 9555), has excellent acoustics, making it one of the most sought after venues for musical events. Also popular is
Gamle Logen, Grev Wedels Plass (tel: 2233 4470; website:
www.logen.no), composer Edvard Grieg’s concert hall, now restored to its original glory. The
State Academy of Music, Gydas Vei (tel: 2336 7000; website:
www.nmh.no), presents the most extensive program 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.
Theater: General information about Norwegian theater can be found at www.teaternett.no. The ornate
National Theater of Oslo, Stortings plass 15 (tel: 2200 1400; website:
www.nationaltheatert.no), presents mainly Norwegian plays. The
International Ibsen Stage Festival takes place here every other year. The National Theater 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 Theater, Kristian IV’s Gate 8 (tel: 2242 4344; website:
www.detnorsketeatret.no), which performs in the second form of the Norwegian language,
Nynorsk (new Norwegian).
Oslo Nye Teater, Rosenkrantzgate (tel: 2234 8600; website:
www.oslonye.no), presents a variety of genres on its four stages, Hovedscenen, Centralteatret, Cafescenen and Dukketeatret (puppet theater).
Dance: 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: 2242 0060; 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 Bygdøy (see
Sightseeing). The
Norwegian National Ballet performs at home, at the
Norwegian Opera, Storgaten 23 (tel: 2331 5000
or 8154 4488 for bookings; 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, Ruseløkkveien. The central booking line for all the mainstream cinemas is 8203 0000. Films in Norway are shown in the original language with subtitles, with the exception of children’s films, which are usually dubbed. Alternative and classic films are shown at
Norsk Filminstitutt, Dronningens gate 16 (tel: 2247 4500).
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 Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, 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 honor, although posterity has been kinder to him. Like Bjørnson, 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, but after failing the university entrance examinations in 1851, Ibsen moved to Bergen to work in a small theater. By 1857, he was back as director of the new Norwegian (Norske) Theater and then later of the Christiania Theater. In 1864, Ibsen received an award for foreign travel from the government and traveled 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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