Mezzosoprano Ann-Beth Solvang

Ann-Beth Solvang was born in Norway and grew up in Time, near the city Stavanger. She studied with Anne Nyborg at »The State Academy of Operatic art« in Oslo, and took her exam there in june 2004 as Ernesto in ”Il Mondo della Luna” by Haydn.
 
Ann-Beth has interpreted several parts, like Unulfo in »Rodelinda« by Händel with the conductor Attillio Cremonesi and the »Baseler Barockorchester«, the Page in »Salome« in a co-production with Teatr Wielki (Warschau) and Opera Vest (Bergen), Sally in Barbers »A Hand of Bridge«, Mrs. Nolan in Menottis »The Medium«, Hänsel in ”Hänsel und Gretel”, Mercedes in ”Carmen”, Maddalena in ”Rigoletto”, Diana in ”La Calisto” by Cavalli, Flosshilde in ”Das Rheingold” and Grimgerde in ”Walküre”. Ann-Beth sang in 2007 Blumenmädchen in »Parsifal« at the »Bayerische Staatsoper« with the conductor Kent Nagano.
 
In june 2004 Ann-Beth reached the semifinals in the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Vienna. The year after she won 2nd price in the Queen Sonja International Music Competition in Trondheim Norway. In 2007 she was awarded with the Shell Prize and the same year she was nominated as ”Newcomer of the year” in the Operamagazine ”Opernwelt”.
 
In Masterclasses Ann-Beth Solvang had the opportunity to work with famous artists like Ann Murray, Grace Bumbry, Elisabeth Söderström, Ian Partridge, Andrew Watts, Reri Grist and Elizabeth Connell.
 
Ann-Beth is one of three co-founders of the successfull opera ensemble »Opera in the Barn«, which interprets the opera literature in the most amusing maner. In that setting she had a great opportunity to work with several opera scenes including parts like Cherubino, Annio, Hänsel, Komponist, Carmen and Dorabella.
 
Ann-Beth Solvang is often engaged as a soloist in churchmusic, recitals and concerts. Among this Messiah by Händel, Requiem by Mozart, Gloria and Stabat Mater by Vivaldi, Elias by Mendelssohn, ”Das Paradis und die Peri” by Shumann and the passions by Bach and Schütz. The mezzosoprano has worked with several symphonic orchestras in Norway.
 
In the seasons 2006/07 and 2007/08 Ann-Beth Solvang was a member of the International Opera Studio at the »Hamburgische Staatsoper«. From the season 2008/09 Ann-Beth is engaged there as a soloist.