The newly crowned European Champions Manger Musikklag is to become the first brass band to perform in Olso’s iconic Opera House

Iceberg

Opened in 2008, the ‘iceberg’ Opera House has become one of Norway’s most instantly recognisable buildings and is home to the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet.

It was due to host the 2013 European Brass Band Championships, but die to unforeseen circumstances this has now been cancelled.

Manger host

However, it will play host to the European Champions this coming weekend, when Manger Musikklag perform with 8 singers and a pianist in a new opera production conducted by Trond Korsgård.

Hypermusikal

The opera, ‘Hypermusikal’, is composed by Glenn Erik Haugland, with lyrics by Heidi Tronsmo, and is billed as, ‘…the world’s first feelgood-opera about musical sensitivity and passion’ – and is a work describing ordinary people with an unordinary passion.

Manger’s participation follows a long term association with the lyricist Heidi Tronsmo who in 2008 discovered a diligence and intensity in the band’s players she thought to be the equivalent to what she had read in Oliver Sacks 2007 book, 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain'.

Manger is proud to be the first brass band to visit this important and prestigous venueManger Musikklag

Lightening bolt

In one of the case studies in the book, a man with no musical background acquired an insatiable desire to play the piano music after being struck by lighnting. Despite no formal training, within three months he spent nearly all his time playing and composing.

The premiere of the opera took place at the 2009 BrassWind Festival.

Proud

A spokesperson for the band told 4BR: "Manger is proud to be the first brass band to visit this important and prestigous venue."