Biography

Born in Odda, Norway, lyric baritone Ørjan Hartveit trained with Omar Ebrahim and Eugene Asti at Trinity College of Music, London, where he graduated in 2005 with First Class Honours. Subsequently, he appeared in master classes with Elly Ameling, Graham Johnson and Malcolm Martineau.

Particularly sought after for his interpretations of the songs of Edvard Grieg and Halfdan Kjerulf, his recital work has taken him to venues such as Troldhaugen (Bergen), Jenisch Haus (Hamburg), Auer Hall (Bloomington, Indiana), Blackheath Halls (London), The Norwegian Seamen's Church (New York) and Sal Martinu (Prague) in collaboration with accompanists such as Eugene Asti, Geir Botnen, Daniela Candillari and Tarek al-Shubbak.

Ørjan Hartveit is also an active concert and oratorio singer. In 2007 he premiered Hampson Sisler's Music In The Soul with Ensemble du Monde under Marlon Daniel at the Merkin Hall (New York). Recent concert performances include Bach Magnificat and St John Passion; Berlioz L'enfance du Christ, Britten Rejoice in the Lamb; Charpentier Te Deum; Händel Messiah; Haydn Missa in tempore belli, Theresienmesse and The Creation; Mozart Coronation Mass; Schubert Mass in Ab Major, Stravinsky Mass and Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs. Roles include Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro) for St John's Opera Company (Maidenhead); Lakai and Haushofmeister (Ariadne auf Naxos) with Ensemble du Monde (New York) and Raguel's Men (Jonathan Dove: Tobias and the Angel) for English Touring Opera.

Highlights in 2008/2009 include recitals in Lithuania with Ieva Struzaite as part of Vilnius European City of Culture 2009, and in Germany and Norway with Michalis Angelakis, as well as concerts in London with the Amici Chamber Choir, Morley College Choir, Helios Orchestra and the West Forest Sinfonia.

Ørjan Hartveit is a recipient of several awards, including the Cyril Cork Prize (2003) for 'outstanding performance' and the TCM Trust Silver Medal (2005). He is the soloist on Ralph Vaughan Williams - Where Hope is Shining, released on Albion Records in 2008, with the Joyful Company of Singers conducted by Peter Broadbent.