A performance based on the composer Fartein Valen's univers of ideas and aestetics.

"For the first time in many years I have found a looming personality in the 20th century's music". Pianist Glenn Gould, - expressed at the CD recording of Fartein Valen 's piano sonata no 2.

Haugesund Theatre has taken the initiative to mark one of Norway’s greatest and most individual artists by a new theatre production about the composer Fartein Valen ( 1887-1952). Both in Norway and internationally Fartein Valen is one of the pioneers within the West-European artmusic in the 1900's.

Fartein Valen had a cosmopolitan view of life and a deep interest in the humanities and expressions of culture. He was religious and had great knowledge about Philosophy, Mysticism, Astronomy, Fine Arts, Architecture and Literature. Fartein Valen spoke several languages. He knew Malagasy from childhood on.

Fartein Valen spent his childhood years from he was 2 till he was 7 in Madagascar where his parents were missionaries. Valen emphasizes that the time he spent in Madagascar had a great impact on his international orientation towards music. He received strong impressions from nature, society, songs, myths and folktales. In this period of his life Fartein Valen lived in Masinandraina (Antsirabe) and Fianarantsoa.

Through a work period in Madagascar in November 2003 a project group from Haugesund Theatre will be evaluate the possibilities for a collaboration with Malagasy artists and institutions in creating a performance based on Fartein Valens life and music. Storytelling, music and dance will be key elements in the performance. The work period is supported by: The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The members of the project group are: artistic director Sverre Waage, composer Nils Henrik Asheim, choreographer Mia Haugland Habib, scenographer Olav Myrtvedt and creative producer Siri Aavitsland.

The performance will open in Haugesund in October of 2004 and will then tour Norway and internationally in 2004 and 2005. Hopefully a collaboration with Malagasy artists and institutions will make it possible to work in and tour Madagascar with the performance.

Haugesund Theatre is a Norwegian project-theatre and has gained a rich experience through co-productions with both institutions and independent artists in Norway and internationally.

Information:

Haugesund Theatre T + 47 52743720 F + 47 52 717013 E-mail: post@haugesund-teater.no

Sverre Waage mobile 97690107 E-mail: sverre.waage@haugesund-teater.no

Siri Aavitsland mobile 91329729 E-mail: siri-aav@online.no

www.haugesund-teater.no

Some earlier productions

"Melancholia - the sky above Borgøy" 2002:

"Melancholia - the sky above Borgøy" was based on the books "Melancolia I - II" by the norwegian author and dramatist Jon Fosse, dealing with the painter Lars Hertervig.

A beautiful, touching and controversial performance in the honour of Lars Hertervig, one of Norway's greatest artists ever. A visual performance where the main elements were music, dance and words.

The press wrote:

"Voice, music and dance are interwoven and becomes the threads of Hertervig's life....Sensitive....a beautiful interpretation."
Verdens Gang, Oslo

"Wonderful music, raw and sencual dance, great acting....a play that will live after the curtain falls."
Bergens Tidende

"The production "Melancholia" has become a poetic performance. A play leaning towards quietness rather than the monumental."
Klassekampen, Oslo.

"Blending light of jubilation and isolation"
Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm

"Trollprinsen" 2003

Trollprinsen was an exiting, fairytalelike and magic circus theatre for the whole family and received extraordinary critiques after the premiere in July 2003.

The press wrote:

"Trollprinsen contains both humor and seriousness, poetry and magic - and lots of joyous acting."
Verdens Gang, Oslo

" In a delightful good story filled with illusions, fantasies and impressing acrobatics which kept us on our toes and spread good spirits from start till end. Both young and old. All could find something to enjoy."
Haugesunds Avis

"Haugsund Theatre has once again shown their capacity to form a charming performance in the field of Newcircus."
Aftenposten, Oslo