The Norwegian Soloists’ Choir & Emilie Nicolas

Under the same sun

The sun and the curtain rise on a new collaboration between Emilie Nicolas, the Norwegian Soloists' Choir, and conductor Grete Pedersen – all artists who have an impact on Norwegian musical life in their own way. Here, the most beautiful works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods meet the musical universe of Emilie Nicolas. The artists immerse themselves in each other’s core repertoires, and in the dialogue between the old and the new, new dimensions of the music are illuminated.

Nicolas and the Soloists' Choir are joined by musicians who unite two worlds – top-level Baroque instrumentalists meet performers who usually collaborate with names like Cezinando and Jarle Bernhoft. The programme consists of songs revolving around the sun as a symbol of the eternal, universal life-giving force.

Grete Pedersen, conductor and this year’s Festival Musician, has led the Norwegian Soloists' Choir to new musical heights. In 2025 she does her last projects with the choir in the role of artistic director, a position she has had for 35 years. A hallmark of Pedersen's creative work is her ability to create concerts that seamlessly bring together different musical styles and eras, creating something new along the way.

Photo: Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard

Conversation with Grete Pedersen

Thursday 29 May ca. 21:00–21:45 in Spissen.

Meet Grete Pedersen, Emilie Nicolas, and Eivind Helgerød in conversation with Charlotte Myrbråten and the audience after the concert.

• Topic: On the creation of sound and form – what are we searching for?

• Entrance: Included in the ticket to the concert on the same day.

• Language: Norwegian

Supported by Fritt Ord

Venue

Grieghallen

Contributors

• The Norwegian Soloists’ Choir

• Grete Pedersen conductor

• Emilie Nicolas vocals

• Eivind Helgerød drums, percussion 

• David Wallumrød keys 

• Peter Hanson violin

• Gjermund Larsen violin

• Elena Andreyev cello 

• Reiko Ichise gambe

• Sverker Rundqvist bass

Music by

• Rameau, Purcell, Händel and Nicolas, Norwegian folk tunes, and more.

Works

• Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759)
  Eternal Source of Light Divine 

• Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764)
  Dance from Les Indes galantes
  Entrée de Polimnie from Les Boréades

• Emilie Nicolas (1987–)
  Feel Fine

• Thomas Tallis (1505–1585)
  If ye love me

• Erik Satie (1866–1925)
  Elegi (arr. G. Eriksson)
  

• Emilie Nicolas (1987–)
  Melancholia

• Trad.
  Nu hviler mark og enge
  

• Emilie Nicolas (1987–)
  Follow the light (performed for the first time)
  

• Trad. (1980–)
  Se solens skjønne lys og prakt (arr. T. Kverno / G. Eriksson)
  

• Emilie Nicolas (1987–)
  Oh love
  

• Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
  Dido's Lament
  

• Emilie Nicolas (1987–)
  Roots
  

• Lars Gullin (1928–1976)
  Jag såg (arr. G. Eriksson)

Programme change: The list of works was updated on 13 May 2025.