Midsummer Celebration at Torvet
We're inviting the whole city to the main square on the most beautiful summer day of the year. Classical delights and good vibes, plus food and drinks. Welcome!
About the concert
We're kicking off the festival with a proper celebration for the whole city. This year's Midsummer Celebration at Torvet will be an evening where we gather and set the mood for the best week in Risør.
After the opening concert in the church, we all wander down to meet the rest of the city for a proper street party. Here you'll meet the festival's star artists showing themselves at their best, with hot dogs, waffles, and something good to drink.
Bring a smile and good spirits, and we'll wrap up in good time before the bonfire is lit out by the sea. Welcome to Risør Chamber Music Festival 2026!
Additional Content
Concert Program
Welcome to the celebration at the square!
If you have a ticket to the Opening Concert in Risør Church, the Midsummer Celebration at Torvet is included in your ticket.
The concert consists of two parts.
Part One
Edvard Grieg: Excerpts from 6 Songs, Op. 48 (1884–88)
- Hilsen (Greeting)
- I Rosentiden (In the Time of Roses)
- En Dröm (A Dream)
Performers:
- Mari Eriksmoen, soprano
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
---
Maurice Ravel: From Sonata for Violin and Cello in A minor, M.73 (1920–22)
- Lent
- Vif, avec entrain
Performers:
- Alena Baeva, violin
- Victor Julien-Laferrière, cello
---
Georg F. Handel / Johan Halvorsen: Sarabande con Variazioni (1897)
Performers:
- Jan Söderblom, violin
- Lilli Maijala, viola
---
Jules Massenet: Méditation from the opera Thaïs (1894, rev. 1898)
Performers:
- Arabella Steinbacher, violin
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
---
Manuel de Falla: Danse Espagnole from the opera La Vida Breve (1904–13)
(arr. Fritz Kreisler)
Performers:
- Arabella Steinbacher, violin
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
Part Two
George Gershwin: Summertime from Porgy and Bess (1934)
Performers:
- Mari Eriksmoen, soprano
- Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
---
Kurt Weill: Youkali from the musical Marie Galante (1934)
(arr. Jarle Storløkken)
Performers:
- Mari Eriksmoen, soprano
- Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
- Jarle Storløkken, guitar
- Frode Berg, double bass
---
Herb Alpert: Trumpet Bonanza
Performers:
- Sebastian Haukås, trumpet
- Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
- Jarle Storløkken, guitar
- Frode Berg, double bass
---
Summer Jazz on the Pier
Performers:
- Sebastian Haukås, trumpet
- Gunnar Flagstad, piano
- Jarle Storløkken, guitar
- Frode Berg, double bass
Composers
Artists
Mari Eriksmoen
Mari Eriksmoen
Soprano
Gunnar Flagstad
Gunnar Flagstad
Piano
Alena Baeva
Alena Baeva
Violin
Jan Söderblom
Jan Söderblom
Violin
Lilli Maijala
Lilli Maijala
Viola
Tine Thing Helseth
Tine Thing Helseth
Trumpet & Artistic Director
Jarle Storløkken
Jarle Storløkken
Guitar
Frode Berg
Frode Berg
Double bass
Sebastian Haukås
Sebastian Haukås
Trumpet
Arabella Steinbacher
Arabella Steinbacher
Violin
Victor Julien‑Laferrière
Victor Julien‑Laferrière
Cello