Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248
Early music
Music from Monteverdi and Buxtehude to Bach and Handel.
Including Les Talens Lyriques · B'Rock Orchestra · Mahler Chamber Orchestra · Bachkoor Holland · Barokkanerne
Halvor F. MelienBaritone
Biography
Halvor F. Melien (baritone) is a concert singer who performs throughout Europe. His repertoire ranges from sixteenth-century music to brand-new works, and he sings with baroque ensembles, symphony orchestras and ensembles for new music, among them Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Les Talens Lyriques, Concertgebouw Kamerorkest, Barokkanerne and Oslo Sinfonietta. Halvor has given the first performances of works written for him by Ørjan Matre, Lisa Streich, Eivind Buene and Øyvind Mæland, and leads JSB-Ensemble Oslo together with the conductor Julia Selina Blank.
Repertoire
All videos →
Winterreise, D 911
Lied
From Schubert and Schumann to Mahler, Webern and new works.
Including Heidelberger Frühling · Hardanger Musikkfest · Silence Festival · Fjord Classics · Aulaseriene
The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Grete Pedersen (BIS)
New music
First performances of works written for him, chamber music and new music theatre.
First performances Ørjan Matre · Lisa Streich · Eivind Buene · Øyvind Mæland · Yuri Umemoto · Bent Sørensen · Kjell Habbestad
Including Oslo Sinfonietta · Darmstädter Ferienkurse · Eclat · Ultima
Opera and music theatre
Roles from Monteverdi and Mozart to Puccini, Weill and new chamber opera, in Norway and abroad.
Including Den Norske Opera & Ballett · Münchener Biennale · Bergen Nasjonale Opera · Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik · Insimul
«And Halvor F. Melien – what a voice, what diction, what expression! Norway should be proud.»
Press →
Upcoming
Calendar →21 November 2026, 7 pm
Bach i Slottskirken
Akershus slottskirke, Oslo
J.S. Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140
J.S. Bach: Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95
Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde, BWV 53 (attr. Melchior Hoffmann)
Magnhild Korsvik, soprano
Frøydis Fegran Kopperud, alto
William Wallace, tenor
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Oslo Circles
Lars Notto Birkeland, artistic director22 November 2026, 11 am
Kantategudstjeneste: Bach, BWV 140
Akershus slottskirke, Oslo
J.S. Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140
Magnhild Korsvik, soprano
Frøydis Fegran Kopperud, alto
William Wallace, tenor
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Oslo Circles
Lars Notto Birkeland, artistic director3 December 2026, 7 pm
Klang av jul
Jørpeland kirke, Strand
J.S. Bach: Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196
Music by Andrew Smith, Poulenc, Buxtehude, Elizabeth Poston, Pärt and Ørjan Matre
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Valen Vokalensemble
Musicians from Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Ghislain Gourvennec, organ
Oddgeir Kjetilstad, conductor4 December 2026, 7 pm
Klang av jul
Vår Frelsers kirke, Haugesund
J.S. Bach: Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196
Music by Andrew Smith, Poulenc, Buxtehude, Elizabeth Poston, Pärt and Ørjan Matre
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Valen Vokalensemble
Musicians from Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Ghislain Gourvennec, organ
Oddgeir Kjetilstad, conductor5 December 2026, 7 pm
Klang av jul
Riska kirke, Sandnes
J.S. Bach: Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196
Music by Andrew Smith, Poulenc, Buxtehude, Elizabeth Poston, Pärt and Ørjan Matre
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Valen Vokalensemble
Musicians from Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Ghislain Gourvennec, organ
Oddgeir Kjetilstad, conductor6 December 2026, 7 pm
Klang av jul
Nærbø kyrkje, Hå
J.S. Bach: Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196
Music by Andrew Smith, Poulenc, Buxtehude, Elizabeth Poston, Pärt and Ørjan Matre
Halvor F. Melien, baritone
Valen Vokalensemble
Musicians from Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Ghislain Gourvennec, organ
Oddgeir Kjetilstad, conductor