Here is a gem from the Norwegian romantic songbook. Edvard Grieg's "En Svane" (A Swan) is set to a poem by our greatest playwright Henrik Ibsen. Truly enjoyable to sing to a live audience again in Skien during Norsjø Kammermusikkfest two weeks ago. Grateful for excellent accompaniment by Marina Kan Selvik /pianist/ and to all the people who made this chamber music festival possible, even in 2021. Click "Settings" in the video window if you want English subtitles. | Aksel Rykkvin

How fun to perform with such a lively and skillful baroque orchestra as Barokkanerne! At the final concert of this year's Glogerfestspillene in Kongsberg, we were led by baroque trumpetist Mark Bennett and everything just seemed to flow together. "Vien con nuova orribil guerra" by Albinoni is the first aria I have sung by an Italian baroque composer - I loved it! Special thanks to the wonderful audience at the concert and to Sean Lewis for the audio production. Get my album here: http://www.akse

Warm thanks to string orchestra TrondheimSolistene for inviting me to sing a concert with them at the historical site of Stiklestad Nasjonale Kultursenter a week ago. It was a great honour to round off this year's Saint Olav Festival. Our encore was 'Ombra mai fu' from Handel's opera 'Serse'. I had never sung this with an orchestra before, but it was such a treat to get the chance to do it here :) 1st violins: Johannes Leonard Rusten (leader), Stina Andersson, Marit Laugen, Fride Bakken Johansen