Olavs Menn – The Singing Life Guard (NO)

Where: Klingran
Duration: 60 min

On Norway’s National Day, May 17th, the Norwegian choir Olavs Menn – The Singing Guard – will perform with Tórshavnar Manskór.

The program includes both Norwegian and Faroese songs – and, of course, Ólavur Tryggvason.

Olavs Menn is a male choir that has sung together since 2008 when they participated in the performance of the opera Thora at the Norwegian Opera House in Oslo. The main character of the opera is Ólavur Tryggvason, and it is from him that the choir takes its name. Olavs Menn are the guards of Ólavur Tryggvason – 25 proud men from various parts of Trøndelag who prefer to use their voices rather than spears and shields.

Since then, they have remained together – first under the leadership of Harald Bjørkøy, and now Lars Eggen, both talented choir conductors and professional singers.

Their repertoire primarily consists of classical choral music, suitable for most occasions. Olavs Menn embraces a broad musical spectrum – from grand compositions by Grieg and Bjørnson to sensitive, evocative ballads. Their main goal is to convey great stories through words and melodies.

Tórshavnar Manskór will also participate in the concert. This traditional choir, soon celebrating 40 years, is larger than ever, boasting more than 70 members. The average age is relatively high, but lower than last year after an experienced group of younger men joined the choir. Tórshavnar Manskór is very active, and hardly a week goes by without the choir being heard at a gathering, birthday celebration, or musical event.

The principal conductor is Jón Festirstein, who has skillfully taken over the baton from Bjarni Restorff, the choir’s founder, who passed away last year.