Live Opera in Oslo

“Kulturentusiastene” (The Culture Enthusiasts) would like to invite you to the Oslo Opera Festival-”opera for the people” September 13th -21st 2008.


History
On the 1st of May 1986, over 200 years after the opening night of Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro, a student at the University of Oslo invited about 50 of his friends to see the same performance at Den Norske Opera. This was the birth of the “Opera Ball” as we know it today.

1988 was the year when the Opera ball was a reality. After seeing Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, over 700 guests made their way to Grand Hotel. Nearly everyone was dressed in costumes from the 18th century.
In the spring of 1989 Gamle Logen was open again for the public after a lengthy process of restoration. The same year the Opera Ball was held in the spectacular surroundings of the house.
After seeing another production of The Marriage of Figaro the participants walked in a procession from Den Norske Oprea to Gamle Logen.
Under the glowing lights of the chandeliers the guests in costumes danced to the proper music played by a symphony orchestra.
Since 1989 the Opera Ball has become a tradition in Oslo.
Many members of the committee, staff and artists have done a great deal for Opera Ball. In 2003 the Ball was moved to the Autumn and in
February 2004 a new organisation was founded, called “Kulturentusiastene” (The Culture Enthusiasts).

Kulturentusiastene is a voluntary organization that works to make classical music, dance, theatre and other art forms accessible to young people.
The organization has its roots in the student organization Tårnseilerne. This organization has since 1988 been holding the Opera Ball in Oslo. In 2004 the organization changed its name to Kulturentusiastene, and became a voluntary union.
After this the organization has expanded. We have got a subdivision at Blindern, Blinderns Kulturentusaister. Also we have started Cantovino Opera café, and in September 2006 we arranged our first Opera Festival.