The Bergen International Festival has a long tradition of creating a stage for young artists. Now, all of these initiatives are gathered under the name Festival Academy of Bergen, or Festspillakademiet i Bergen, (FAB).

During the 2025 Festival there will be concerts featuring young artists, music by young composers, and a range of masterclasses and mentorship programmes across various genres. Many of these events are open to the public, while others are reserved exclusively for FAB participants.

'The Festival is a meeting place, both on and around the stage. At the Festival Academy of Bergen, young artists can share and gain new experiences, develop artistically, and be inspired by encounters with international artists, while the audience gets the chance to discover exciting new names,' says Festival Director Lars Petter Hagen.

An annual meeting point

Norwegian artists such as Leif Ove Andsnes, Lise Davidsen, Christian Ihle Hadland, and Amalie Stalheim have all performed at the Bergen International Festival early in their careers.

'It is crucial that the Festival includes young and unknown voices in its programme. It is an investment in the future, both artistically and in terms of audience development,' says Hagen.

During the nearly 75-year history of the Festival, there have been numerous talent initiatives. By gathering everything under one name, Hagen aims to create more synergies and collaborations:

'When many strong forces work together, we can achieve something extraordinary. I believe that together with our many great partners, we can establish the Festival Academy as an important and inspiring annual meeting point for young artists in music and other art forms.'

Preserving and developing the cultural heritage

On this page, you will find an overview of public FAB events that are part of the broader Festival program, as well as a series of activities for invited FAB artists and students. FAB participants will also be invited to social gatherings during the Festival.

You can register for a dedicated newsletter for FAB-related information, which will be sent out a couple times a year.

'In the cultural city of Bergen we are known for supporting each other, and with the Festival Academy we will both honour and continue that tradition. We invest in young artists because we want a vibrant art and culture scene in the future, says the Festival Director.

The 2025 Festival Academy of Bergen

• More than 20 public events with young artists

• More than 20 closed events for young artists

• This year’s partners include Classical Link, Jiri Hlinka Piano Academy, Grieg Academy – Institute of Music, Voksenåsen Music Academies, Camerata Bergen, and the Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Programme for invited FAB participants

In addition to the daily activities, several days will feature Drop-inconcerts with students from the Grieg Academy, Grieg Academy master's concerts, OperaUp! featuring the opera stars of tomorrow, and a series of concerts at the outdoor stage Festallmenningen.

From Thursday 22 May, there will also be a social meeting point every evening at Det Vestnorske Teateret.

Follow the links in the list to read about the different open events.

Wednesday 21 May

The opening day of Bergen International Festival with the opening ceremony at Torgallmenningen

Thursday 22 May

• 12.00 Concert with NOVO Quartet & Saphir Quartet, Troldhaugen

• 12.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 14.00 Masterclass Classical link with Amalie Stalheim, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

Friday 23 May

• 10.00 Reading with FAB-composers and Ensemble Modern, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 18.00 Open rehearsal with BIT20 Ensemble and Bára Gísladóttir, Grieghallen - Bekken

Saturday 24 May

• 11.00 Q&A with Bára Gísladóttir, Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason, and BIT20 Ensemble for FAB composers, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 17.00 Amalie Stalheim with young string players featuring premieres by FAB composers, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

Sunday 25 May

• 10.00 Masterclass with violinist James Ehnes, Grieghallen - Bekken

• 13.00 Masterclass with opera director Anthony Almeida, Grieghallen - Bekken

• 17.00 Portrait concert with music by this year's Premiere composer: Inga Margrete Aas, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

Monday 26 May

• 12.00 Open masterclass for singers with Joyce DiDonato, Universitetsaulaen

• 13.30 Outdoors concert with Classical link and Amalie Stalheim, Festival square

• 19.00 Masterclass concert for young singers, Universitetsaulaen

Tuesday 27 May

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 18.00 Concert with Cumulus Quintet, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

• 20.00 The Grieg Academy master's concerts: Inga K. Bialach, violin, Universitetsaulaen

Wednesday 28 May

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 18.00 Concert with BrassUnit, Det Vestnorske Teateret - Scene 2

• 20.00 The Grieg Academy master's concerts: Adrianna I. Arapinowics, cello, Universitetsaulaen

Thursday 29 May

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 13.00 Outdoors concert with BrassUnit

Friday 30 May

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 17.30 Q&A with Therese Ulvo on the chamber opera Terminus, Cornerteateret

• 17.30 The Grieg Academy master's concerts: Kateryna Persysta, piano, Universitetsaulaen

• 20.00 The Grieg Academy master's concerts: Marina Matsuoka, piano, Universitetsaulaen

Saturday 31 May

• 12.00 & 15.00 Drop-in concerts, Grieghallen - Spissen

• 14.00 Concert with Helga Diljá Jörundsdóttir, Annissa Gybel, Hugo Svedberg og Sebastian Egebakken Svenøy at Valestrand

• 16.00 Open rehearsal with Ensemble Allegria and Kristine Tjøgersen, Håkonshallen

• 17.00 Concert with Birgitta Oftestad, Valestrand - Bullahuset

• 18.00 Outdoor concert with Primula Veris, conductor Rasmus H. Mikkelsen, Festival square

Sunday 1 June

• 14.00 Master classes with Håvard Gimse, Rasmussen Samlingene

• 18.00 Outdoors concert with Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Festival square

• 19.00 Concert with the Norwegian National Youth Orchestra’s chamber orchestra, Universitetsaulaen

Monday 2 June

• 10.00 Master classes with Leif Ove Andsnes, Rasmussen Samlingene

• 10.00 Master classes with Christian Ihle Hadland, Rasmussen Samlingene

Tuesday 3 June

• 10.00 Master classes with Marianna Shirinyan, Rasmussen Samlingene

• 18.00 Concert with Camerata Bergen and Leif Ove Andsnes, Grieghallen - Spissen

Wednesday 4 June

• 10.00 Master classes with Marianna Shirinyan, Rasmussen Samlingene

• 10.00 Master classes with Leif Ove Andsnes, Rasmussen Samlingene

• 15.30 Masterclass concert with Prof. Jiri Hlinka Klaverakademi

Questions about Festival Academy of Bergen (FAB)?

Send an email to fab@fib.no

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