Ready for the national finals
Five young singing talents are ready for the national finals of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition following the preliminary and semi-final rounds held at the Norwegian Academy of Music. The national finals will take place in Bergen on 26 April.
Twenty singers competed for a spot in the national finals, and all of them impressed the judges and audience. Menno Feenstra, Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, chairs the panel of judges.
The five finalists are Mariann Fjeld Olsen (27), Nina Margrete Gravrok (28), Ingrid Vetlesen (25), Yngve André Søberg (28) and Rita Ziem (21). All the finalists will perform arias accompanied by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra during the national finals in Bergen on 26 April.
International finals
The winner of the national finals will qualify to participate in the international segment of the competition to be held in Oslo on 16-23 August. Some 50 singers from around the world will compete for concert engagements with several large orchestras as well as at festivals and opera houses. Cash prizes totalling over NOK 300,000 will also be awarded.
Her Majesty The Queen will award the prizes following the final concert at Oslo Concert Hall on 23 August.
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Queen Sonja Music Competition: National finalists
Ready for national finals: Rita Ziem, Nina Margrete Gravrok, Ingrid Vetlesen, Mariann Fjeld Olsen and Yngve André Søberg (Photo: Robin Røkke Johansen)Photo 1 of 1
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Celebrated the Prince’s 18th birthday
Today Their Majesties The King and Queen hosted a luncheon at the Royal Palace in honour of the 18th birthday of Prince Sverre Magnus. The Prince will turn 18 on Sunday, 3 December.
Family photographs
Family members, godparents and representatives of the Norwegian authorities and youth organisations are gathered at the Royal Palace today to celebrate the 18th birthday of His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus. Official photographs of the family were taken before the luncheon began.