Vestfold International Festival
The festival reveals and revels in the region`s cultural heritage through music and other performances. The festival is a meeting place for Norwegian and foreign artists, both amateurs and professionals, in a setting that ranges from the traditional to the avant-garde. A hallmark of this festival is the informal and sunny profile where the entire county is used as a festival arena, the jagged, rocky slopes along the coast and the inland fields being used as backdrops.

English version by Therese Weider

Fireworks concert
Horten. Karljohansvern. Friday 24 June 22.00
It´s been said that an audience of over 12 000 people witnessed the first  performance of Händel’s Concert for Fireworks. In the spirit of Händel, Vestfold Festspillene and Horten Marine Music attract a great number of people. This will be a lively show with several artists and a grand finale with fireworks accompanied by G.F Händels Music for the Royal Fireworks.

The Festspill Day. Tønsberg 25 June.
Program:
12.00   Dialogue. Opening of installation, in collaboration with Vestfold Artist Center. Mini concert with Frøy Aagre. Farmandstredet.
13.00   Lunch concert with Silje Nergaard trio. Foynhagen
14.00   Viking games and crafts for children. The Oseberg Viking ship. Lindahlplan.
14.30   Fishing for love. The harbor, next to the walking bridge.
15.00   Voices from Vestfold. Foynhagen
15.00   Stories on history. Quality Hotel Tønsberg
16.00   Viking games and crafts for children. The Oseberg viking ship. Lindahlplan.
17.00   Tønsberg Cathedral Choir. Tønsberg cathedral
17.30   Fishing for love. The harbor, next to the walking bridge.
18.00   Guitars and the art of listening to a motorcycle
18.30   Linda Kvam
20.00   Dangerzone. A commissioned work by Terje Rypdal
21.00   Guitar Deluxe with N3

Viking games and crafts for the children
The Viking ship Osebergskipet. Lindahlplan. 02.00 pm and 04.00 pm. Free entrance.
At Brygga (the harbor) in Tønsberg, there will be made a replica of the the Viking ship Osebergskipet, using the same materials and tools as in the original ship. Activities and games are open to all children.

About history – a conversation
Quality Hotel Tønsberg. 25 June. 03.00 pm Free entrance
There are many ways to explore and understand our history. In this conversational debate, three different views of our means to understand our history will be represented by three experts in the field of archeology and the Viking age.

Silje Nergaard Trio. A Lunch concert
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. 25 June. 01.00 pm
Barbeque food from Conradi´s kitchen included in the ticket.
Silje Nergaard is one of the finest and most interesting vocalists in Norway.  Her sense of good melodies and strong lyrics have given her a fan base in every generation as well as international success. “A voice as beautiful as wine”, The New York Times.

Fishing for Love
Tønsberg. The harbor. Next to the walking bridge. 25 June. 02.30 pm and 05.30 pm. Free entrance.
“Fishing for Love” is a spectacular show inspired by life at seas. The show is performed on a net hanging a breathtakingly 12 meters above water, and includes dance, acrobatics and music.

Tønsberg Domkor (Cathedral Choir)
Tønsberg domkirke. 25 June. 05.00 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                Tønsberg Domkor presents “Songs through time and space” – religious folk songs from a time when everyday life and music were inseparable.

Festspillrock at Støperiet
Tønsberg. Kaldnes. 25 June 06.00 pm

Linda Kvam
Linda Kvam´s music is, in the same way as the music of Emmylou Harris and Janis Joplin, rooted in the American country and blues music.
Dangerzone
A Rock symphony and homage to the sound of motorcycles. Dangerzone is composed for three electric guitars, a full rock band, and at least a 100 heavy Harley-Davidsons. The symphony is written by Terje Rypdal, and represents a unique fusion of jazz, heavy rock, percussion, improvisation and classical symphonic sound.
Guitar de Luxe. Norwegian 3
N3 consists of the three Norwegian rock legends; Ronni Le Tekrø, Terje Rypdal and Mads Eriksen. They will perform songs from their wide repertoires, in addition to familiar classics that have defined rock history.

Fjord Cruise with the Polar Vessel Berntine
In the archipelago of Tjøme. Cast off from the harbor at Sandøsund. Hvasser. Sunday  12.00 am  og 05.00 pm
Duration – four hours. Restricted number of tickets.
Serving of fish soup included in the ticket. Parking is available at Fynsletta.
We invite you to a nostalgic sailing. Look forward to a cultural historic voyage with storytelling from the archipelago around Tjøme, and folklore melodies presented by The Prune Princes

A summer day on Kommersøya
Transport t/r Holmestrand. Avg. Havna 11.00 am and 01.00 pm
Transport t/r Sande. Avg. Nordjarlsberg-Brygga 12.00 am and 02.00 pm

An arrangement for the whole family.
Cultural trail
Music from Holmestrand ungdomskorps (Holmestrand youth band)
Games and activities for the children                                                                                                                                                                                              Concert with Nordic Tenors

Cultural trail
There will be a set of petite cultural experiences prior to the concert with Nordic tenors on the soon to be cultural trail.
Nordic Tenors
The a cappella group Nordic tenors combine exquisite artistic qualities with humour, dance and musical surprises. “Excellent” VG, dice throw 5. “Like hand in glove!” Dagbladet ,dice throw 5.

Sigvart Dagsland´s orchestra for weddings and funerals
Tønsberg domkirke. Sunday 26 June 08.00 pm
In 2010, Sigvart Dagsland released a record of wedding and funeral music. In spite of the partly heartrending theme, the record is a unique blend of wistful songs and humorous tunes. Dagsland and his orchestra will play songs from the critically acclaimed album.

Purcor. Songs for saxophone and piano
Sandefjord Church. Sunday 26 June 08.00 pm
The concert can modestly be described as songs for saxophone and piano, and covers a repertoire of church music, folk songs, theatrical music and improvisations.

The Real Thing
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Monday 27 June 05.00 pm
The Real Thing was established in 1992 and has since then dominated the Scandinavian jazz scene. Their music is swinging organ based soul jazz. The band played over 1000 concerts in twelve years, and has sold over 50 000 albums.

Frøy Aagre Quartet
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Tuesday 28 June 05.00 pm
Frøy Aagre has been praised by critics in Norway as well as abroad. Her performances from her third album “Cycle of Silence” (2010) have gained attention on the international jazz scene, and all her concerts during the London Jazz Festival were sold out.

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Wednesday 29 June 05.00 pm
The jazz singer Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen has gathered a simple ensemble that will give the audience a vibrant and intimate act of stripped down swing.

Jon Eberson Group
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Thursday 30 June 05.00 pm
The collaboration between jazz composer and guitarist Jon Eberson, jazz vocalist Hilde Marie Kjersem and base player Sigurd Hole resulted in the well acclaimed record ”Comfort Call”. ”Comfort Call will spellbind the entire music scene!” Dagsavisen

Hot Club de Norvège
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Friday 1 July 05.00 pm
Inspired by the legendary gypsy artist Django Reinhardt, Hot Club de Norvège delivers one of the hottest live acts there is. Hot Club de Norvège is internationally considered as one of the most influential bands in the swing jazz genre.

Stave Church Songs
Andebu. Høyjord stavkirke.  Monday 27 June 08.00 pm                                                                                                                                                              This commissioned work was written for and inspired by the beautiful stave churches of Norway. With bagpipes, harmonium, percussion, guitar, Jew´s harps and vocals the musicians wish to explore the sound and mysticism of the church rooms of the past.

Notes for a  Requiem. New York Polyphony
Larvik. Hedrum kirke. Monday 27 June 08.00 pm Horten. Borre kirke. Wednesday 30 June 08.00 pm                                                                                                  The Italian prince Don Carlo Gesualdo (1566-1613) was a renowned composer of his time, as well as a source for inspiration for musicians to come. His music is radical and intense, and will still rapture it´s listeners. Prince Gesualdo´s life was colored by the fact that he murdered his wife and her lover. Terje Tveit has made a production with texts and music inspired by Gesualdo´s personal tragedy as well as his music.

Av Hjerteblod (Of Heart Blood)
Åsgårdstrand. Munchs hus i Munchparken. Monday 27 June 08.00 pm
A concert performance about the life of Edvard Munch. The performance is based on themes from Munch´s paintings, photography’s and texts. Lars Lillo-Stenberg has composed music for Munch´s texts.

House concerts. Oslo String Quartet
In great concert halls there is a distance between performing musician and the audience. In this series we aim to make the classical music act a more intimate and dynamic experience. Chamber music was made for smaller audiences and smaller rooms. We like to call it; great music in small rooms.

Svelvik. Villa Rørvik. Wednesday 29 June 08.00 pm
Program
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791):     String quartet nr. 4 in C-major. KV 157
Arne Nordheim (1931-2010):   Five Stages for four   
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): Crisantemi – Andante mesto  
Øystein Sonstad (1970):           Arrangements of popular melodies

Larvik. Yttersø gård, Elveveien 46. Thursday 30 June 08.00 pm
Program
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791):    String quartet nr. 14 in G-major. KV 387 
Arne Nordheim (1931-2010):  Nachruf    
Franz Schubert (1797-1828):   Quartet movement in c-minor – Allegro Assai. D 703 
Øystein Sonstad (1970):           Arrangements of popular melodies

Nøtterøy. Bjerkø. Friday 1 July 08.00 pm
Program
W. A. Mozart(1756-1791):               String quartet nr. 15 in d-minor. KV 421 
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Cavatina – Adagio molto espressivo, from op. 130
Rolf Wallin (1957):                            Curiosity Cabinet    
Øystein Sonstad (1970):                    Arrangements of popular melodies

New York Polyphony at Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum (Museum of Art)
Music for the exhibition: Gloria Mundi – Church art in Vestfold
Tuesday 28 June 05.00 pm and Friday 1 June 05.00 pm
The exhibition “Gloria Mundi” consists of central works of art from various churches in Vestfold. The concert will be performed in the exhibition hall by the a cappella quartet New York Polyphony, and presents European music form the same era - ranging through 800 years.
There will be a tour of the exhibition before the concert.

Jan Garbage Group featuring Trio Guru
Tønsberg. Oseberg kulturhus. Tuesday 28 June 08.00 pm
No one plays the saxophone like Jan Garbarek. He has an unmistakable sound, which throughout the years has developed into a sound entirely different from the one we usually consider as jazz. An endless list of performances on all of the world´s most famous concert halls, critically acclaimed records, years of musical partnership with Keith Jarrett and the unique collaboration with The Hillard Ensemble, has made this exceptional saxophonist popular within all musical genres.

Oslo String Quartet
Sandefjord kirke. Wednesday 29 June 12.00 am 12.00
Program:
W. A. Mozart(1756-1791):               String quartet no. 15 in d-minor. KV 421 
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Cavatina – Adagio molto espressivo, from op. 130
Rolf Wallin (1957- ):                          Curiosity Cabinet    
Øystein Sonstad (1970- ):                  Arrangements of popular melodies

With their varied repertoire and range of qualities, Oslo String Quartet has received international praise. The quartet has excelled with their ambitious concert program, brilliant recordings and innovative means of reaching the audience.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Bastien und Bastienne
Larvik. Herregården. Wednesday 29 June 06.00 pm
Tønsberg. Jarlsberg Mansion. Thursday 30 June 06.00 pm and 08.00 pm                                                                                                                                             With this musical play, Mozart´s talent for the dramatically, which later developed into more grandiose plays, is evident. Bastien and Bastienne might be the most playful of Mozart´s childhood works.

A meeting with Vienna at Tollerodden
Larvik. Tollerodden. Onsdag 29. juni 08.00 pm                                                                                                                                                                                          The cultural monument of Tollerodden serves as an ideal location for a supper inspired by the baroque pantry. Expect a savory meal with inspiration from game of the woods, mountain-grazing cows, sweet chocolate and Turkish coffee.

A Doll´s house
Nøtterøy kulturhus. 29 and 30. June 07.30 pm Tickets: Nøtterøy kulturhus 33 40 20 01
”And the children, they have been my dolls”, says Nora in A Doll´s House. Katta´s Puppet Theatre Ensemble has interpreted Ibsen literally. They have explored Ibsens´s text with respect for content as well as the distinctive characters. However, the unusual style and form of the puppet theatre, will offer its audience an original version of the classic play.

New York Polyphony. Night Concert
Tønsberg domkirke. Wednesday 29 June 10.00 pm                                                                                                                                                                                In this concert we will experience two very different musical eras. In the first part of the program, New York Polyphony will present songs from their newest CD ”Tudor City”, which is music from pre-reformational England. In the second part of the act, the a cappella group will recite songs by Shubert, originally written for four male voices.

Mozart i aftensol (Mozart in Evening Sun)
Tjøme. Engø gård. Thursday 30 June 05.00 pm

Program:
Sergej Prokofjev (1891 – 1953):      From Sonata for two violins, op. 56
Edvard Grieg: (1843 – 1907):           From  Violin Sonata in G-major, op. 13
Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756 – 1791): Violin Sonata in B-major, K 378
Johann S. Bach (1685 – 1750):         From two part inventions
Bjarne Brustad (1895 – 1978):          From Capriccio for violin og viola (1931)
Wolfgang A. Mozart:                        Trio inn E flat major, K 498 (Kegelstatt)

In 2009 the young violin virtuosos Catharina Chen and Sara Övinge won the prestigious INTRO classic competition. Since then they have continuously conquered new territory abroad and home. Now, the beautiful gardens of Ego estate are next in line.

A Story of the Battle of Re
Re. Jordene på Søndre Linnestad gård. Thursday 30 June 05.00 pm
In 2010 a group of archeologists found arrowheads on Søndre Linnestad farm in Ramnes. These arrowheads might originate from two famous battles in 1163 and 1177.
In this spectacle stories of how this historical site was discovered will be presented. There will be tableaus with swordsmanship and archery, in addition to a concert with the prominent jazz musician Karl Seglem.

Metallëphônic
Tønsberg. Oseberg kulturhus. Thursday 30 June 08.00 pm
Norsk Blåseorkester
Øystein Baadsvik  tuba
Ole Edvard Antonsen trumpet and conductor
Norsk Blåseorkester (Norwegian Wind band) is considered the most important band within its field. One of Norway´s most celebrated classical musicians, Ole Edvard Antonsen, conducts the band and will undeniably inspire an entire coming generation of potential wind instrument players.

Mozart for the concert scene
Sandefjord kirke. Friday 1 July 08.00 pm
Birgitte Christensen  soprano
Ronald Bräutigam  pianoforte
Kölner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens  conductor

Program:
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791):        Eine kleine Nachtmusik,  KV525
W. A. Mozart:                             Piano concert no. 12 in A-major. KV414
W. A. Mozart:                             Konsertarie „Chi‘o mi scordi di te“, KV 505 for soprano, piano and orchestra
Leopold Kozeluch (1747-1818): Sinfonia concertante for mandolin, key trumpet, piano and contrabass in E flat major.
With international first-rate musicians, this night is dedicated to the music of Mozart. Like pearls on a string, we will be served one musical highlight after the other.
Birgitte Christensen is internationally known as one the most important Norwegian opera singers. On this night she sings ”Chi’o mi scordi di te”, which with its variations and dramatic composition, is considered as one of Mozart´s finest concert arias.

When the dead awakens
Horten. Borreparken. Friday 1 July 08.00 pm . Saturday 2 July and Sunday 3 July 05.30 pm

Stella Polaris, Norway
Zoublistan, Belgium
Teater Brama, Poland
A historical play with the Viking grave-mounds of Borre as setting
The theatre and acrobat company Stella Polaris has gathered young theatrical talents from all over Europe to make this innovating spectacle become reality. With this historical play, including texts from Viking sagas and Snorre Sturlasson, Stella Polaris seeks to communicate a vision of a common origin and a wish of global brotherhood.

Lars Bremnes. Lunch Concert
Tønsberg. Foynhagen. Saturday 2 July 01.00 pm. Barbeque food from Conradi´s Kitchen included in the ticket. Food is served from 12.00 am
Lars Bremnes is one of our dearest singer-songwriter. In this concert we will encounter both the melancholy and humoristic side of Bremnes, as he will perform songs from six of his albums.

Hellbillies
Larvik. Bøkeskogen. Saturday 2 July 08.00 pm
After several years with tremendously popular live performances, Hellbillies deserves its standing as the perfect live band. With their catchy country rock tunes, Hellbillies will unquestionably charm the audience in the majestic setting of Bøkeskogen (The Beech Forest).

Sunrise Concert 04.00 at Verdens Ende (The World´s End)
Tjøme. Verdens Ende. Sunday 3 July 04.00 am                                                          
Nils Petter Molvær  trumpet og electronics
Geir Jenssen  sampling og electronics
Nils Petter Molvær is an extraordinary musician who experiments with different genres and styles. His music is often described as ambient; a musical expression that focuses on colors in sound and emotions. To accompany Molvær in the task of setting sound to the unique morning atmosphere by the open sea, Festspillene has engaged ambient musician Geir Jensen, better known as Biosphere.

Sti for øye (Path of Art)
Stokke. Fossnes senter. Sunday 3 July 06.00 pm
Vestfold Festspillene invites you to an outdoors gallery in the woods. On this expedition you will experience colorful bird houses, fantastic bird feathers, sneaky wolves and a lot more! The vital and innovative vocal trio Eplemøya will finish off the tour with a concert.

Requiem
Tønsberg domkirke. Sunday 3 July 08.00 pm
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Divertimento in F-major. KV138
                                                                 Requiem in d-minor. KV 626

Kölner Akademie with choir and solists
Michael Alexander Willens conductor

Requiem was Mozart´s final work. He had fallen fatally ill, and his emotions around his own death must have given him an intense and desperate inspiration.
The first performance of Mozart´s Requiem was held in a small church, hence the orchestra and choir must have been smaller than usual. There were probably merely eight opera soloists. This year, Vestfold Festspillene will present the legendary piece of music in its original form.
 

All in all; the possibilities are countless!
 

For program details and booking, see www.vestfoldfestspillene.no
For assistance, call + 47 33 30 88 50
Ticket Information: 815 33 133