Ensemble Allegria is a cutting edge chamber orchestra of top international quality. The orchestra has gained considerable attention through its dynamic ensemble playing and passionate virtuosity, and is coming to the Arctic Arts Festival for the first time.
Since 2008 artistic director Maria Angelika Carlsen and her 22 fellow musicians have grown together as a force to be reckoned with in Norwegian musical life.
The programme at Harstad kirke includes two Russian classics; the blistering second movement from Shostakovich´s Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a and Tchaikovsky´s exquisite Serenade, Op.48.
The ensemble performs regularly with internationally renowned soloists such as the British violist Lawrence Power and the world leading Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst. During recent years they have had a close collaboration with Det Norske Solistkor.
In January 2016 Ensemble Allegria was nominated for the prestigious Spellemann Prize in two categories! In the classical music category they were nominated for the album ”VOLT22” from 2015. In addition they were nominated as collaborators in ”Meins Lebens Licht” together with Det Norske Solistkor.
In 2012 Ensemble Allegria was awarded Statoil´s talent stipend for classical music; the first ensemble to receive this award.
The orchestra released the debut album “Allegria” on LAWO Classics in 2013. In addition to being regular recording artists they give numerous recitals at festivals such as the Hardanger Musikkfest, Ultima festival and the Bergen Festival.
The word Allegria has a festive tone and denotes joy in Italian, and it was a shared passion for music that brought this former group of students from the Norwegian Academy of Music together in 2007.
Allegria´s artistic director and concert leader is Maria Angelika Carlsen.
This concert has recieved additional support from the dentist Rune Hilde.