About

The young Norwegian baritone Bernt Ola Volungholen has been described as a very versatile artist. His work is often associated with complex role-interpretations of characters in the music theater repertoire.  

Bernt Ola Volungholen received his education at the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Norwegian Academy of arts and the Opera Academy in Copenhagen where he studied with Susanna Eken. During his studies he made his debut at both the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo and the Royal Opera in Copenhagen in the role of Papageno in “Die Zauberflöte”.  

From 2016 to 2018 he was a member of the ensemble at the Luzerner theater, where he performed roles such as Lescaut in” Manon”, Papageno in”Die Zauberflöte”, Talbot in ”Maria Stuarda”, Marullo in ”Rigoletto” , and Mercutio in ”Romeo e Juliette”. During this period he also worked with the Luzerner festival at several occasions, he performed Black Minister in Ligetys “Le Grand Macabre“and took part in a production of Monteverdis “Marienvesper”. In Luzern he worked with directors and conductors such as Herbert Fritsch, Vincent Huguet, Benedikt von Peter, Wouter Van Looy, Marco Štorman, Clemens Heil and Joel Gamzou.  

Bernt Ola is a frequent guest at the Norwegian National Opera where he has performed roles such as Papageno in “Die Zauberflöte”, Jupither in “Orpheus in the underworld” and Tour guide in “Wonderful town” by Bernstein. He has sung the role of Figaro in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at Ringsakeroperaen and the role of Fløtar Calle in the world premiere of Ragnar Söderlinds opera “Kont-Jo” at The Ragnar Hovland festival in Fredrikstad. He has also sung the role of Papageno in “Die Zauberflöte” at Copenhagen Opera Festival. 

He made his Swedish debut at Confidencen Court Theater as Aeneas in “Dido and Aeneas” and Adonis in “Venus and Adonis”. In the fall of 2024 Bernt Ola will sing Sir Archie in Folkoperans new production of “Herr Arnes penningar”.  

Bernt Ola is a sought-after chamber musician; he regularly works with some of the most prominent chamber musicians in Scandinavia. He has been invited to perform at chamber music festivals such as Båstad Chamber music festival, Vinterfestspillene I Røros and Sunnmøre Kammermusikkfestival. He is a part of the GLO2020-quartet with Per Arne Glorvigen, (Bandoneon) Øyvind Gimse (Cello) and Christian Ihle Hadland (piano). The quartet has a wide repertoire and performes everything from Kaija Saariahoo to Schubert.  

Bernt Ola has a special interest in contemporary music and has premiered music by composeres such as Wolfgang Plagge, Ragnar Söderlind, Marcus Paus, Per Arne Glorvigen, Henning Sommero and Ketil Bjørnstad.   

He has an extensive concert repertoire, from lieder and art songs to the church repertoire. Bernt Ola has sung pieces such as Brahms Requiem, Faures Requiem and Bach Weihnachtsoratorium as well as song cycles such as “Lieder eines fahrenden gesellen”, “Kindertotenlieder”, “Dichterliebe”, “Winterreise”, Frank Martin`s “Jedermann Monologues” and Vaughan William`s “Songs of travel”.  

Bernt Ola has been praised for his abilities as an actor and especially in the comedic field where he has worked with some of Norways most prominent comedians such as Atle Antonssen, Vidar Magnussen and Kristoffer Olsen.  

He has toured with Ole Edvard Antonsen on his popular Christmas concert tour throughout Norway. And he has performed a series of Christmas concerts with Herborg Kråkevik and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra under Julian Rachlin.  

Bernt Ola is the CEO and artistic director of the Kirsten Flagstad festival in Hamar Norway.