The concert’s first soloist was young soprana Mariana Bulicanu, who sang in Norwegian Solveig’s Song, from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt. The second soloist of the concert was the famous Norwegian violinist and composer Johannes Rusten. Rusten’s name was already familiar to the public, due to the fact that one of his compositions was played in premiere in the concert organized in 2010. In the concert from Friday, Rusten enchanted his audience with another one of his compositions Metamorphosis for violin and orchestra, that was heard in world premiere. His exquisite interpretation was rewarded with ovations and long round of applauses.
Both soloists were accompanied by the symphony orchestra of the Philharmonic conducted by the Norwegian Torodd Wigum. Wigum’s entrance on the scene was welcomed with a loud round of applauses, as the public had no difficulties in recognizing him as also the conductor of the concert from last year.
The program of the concert also featured classic plays composed by prominent figures of Norwegian music, such as Edvard Grieg, Harald Sæverud and Johan Svendsen.
In the opening remarks, H. E. Ambassador Øystein Hovdkinn mentioned the names of the Norwegian artists that participated in the similar cultural event organized during the last two years in Chisinau. He also expressed his hope that such concerts organized by the Embassy in collaboration with the National Philharmonic of the Republic of Moldova will become a tradition.
The concert was organized with the support of the Music Information Centre Norway.