St. John’s night in the fields

The artist Einar Øfsti painted Midsummer´s Eve in 1901 and as stagedecor it inspires to play with myths and fairytales from the region of Trøndelag in Norway. Rich in history and arts from the Middle Age – here the Christians were hindered by pagans of the north. With his violin, the folk musician Gjermund Larsen, plays live on stage and the four dancers tumbles and dances around this nocturnal celebration of midsummer magic.

Choreografy: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Reproduction of painting by Einar Øfsti
Music: Gjermund Larsen
Studiomusicians: Tor Haugerud and Andreas Utnem
Dancers: Alexander Aarø, Elisabeth C. Holth, Guro Gulstad and Severin Romer Iversen
Costumes: Svein Ove Kirkhorn
Production: Dans i Trøndelag
Co-producers: Turnéteateret i Trøndelag, Riksscenen, Ål Kulturhus, Hilmarfestivalen

Premiere 10th November 2018, Dampsaga, Steinkjer
You can watch the performance here: https://vimeo.com/338641922

Photo: Svein Ove Kirkhorn

Brother

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Dancers: Ouasim Ahssain, Rohil Arif, Kadi Cham, Marion Lund Fransrud, Inger-Helene Jeremiassen, Mira Kristiansen, Vijai Kurunathan, Ida Aisha Macauley, Suad Mahdi, Hermon Selemon, Ane Bækken Soleim, Ousam Souleymane & Azzedin Souleymane.

Premiere 29 November 2012, Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.

Stravinsky’s «Rite of Spring» with thirteen hip hop artist from the lighthouse of dance, The Planet, in an Oslo suburb – Grorud. Oslo City Council asked Odd Johan Fritzøe and Karl Hansen to join forces, and the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet welcomed the show as a feature in its diversity program. Adolescents, all equipped with a shield for protection and to form a collective pattern face the audience seated on all four sides of the stage. There is no sacrifice, but occasionally an individual leaves the group, examines it from the outside and ponders.

Photo: Odd Geir Sæter
Available on DVD

Balls

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Hild Tafjord
Scenography and costumes: Torhild Berg
Lighting: Stig Framnes
Dancers: Trond André Hansen, Thomas Lægreid Gundersen, Mikkel Are Olsen & Chenno Tim
Producer: CODA International Dance Festival 2007, Oslo

Premiere 27th September 2007 as part of the CODA 2007 Festival, Trikkehallen, Oslo.

Four large balls each with an inbuilt audio system create a fluid landscape of sounds and shapes. Two break dancers meet two contemporary dancers in a chamber play about difficult lightness and pleasant heaviness. The ballet was originally conceived as a show for secondary schools. Shown ten times during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 8–18 August 2008.

You can watch the performance here: https://vimeo.com/124295523
Photo: Christian Elgvin

Jäinen Kukinta

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: John Corrigliano
Costumes: Erika Turunen
Lighting: Juha Westman
Dancers: Evaldas Bielinis, Aina Ettala, Maki Kirjonen, Jaakko Eerola, Adam Kazal, Aki Pakarinen, Samuli Poutanen & Salla Suominen
Producers: Finnish National Ballet & Dinna Bjørn

Premiere 19 May 2006, Helsinki Opera, Finland

Jäinen kukinta was commissioned by Dinna Bjørn, director of the Finnish National Ballet, as part of the NOKO (Nordic choreography) project. It’s a lyrical portrayal and story about our frozen Nordic landscape and intense rejuvenation.

You can watch the performance here:
https://vimeo.com/129541572
Photo: Sakaria Viika

Zooom

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Bjarne Kvinnsland
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Animation: Ivar Kjellmo
Dancers: André Austvoll, Kenneth Flak, Thomas Gundersen, Camilla Myhre & Irene Rothmund Velten

Premiere 13th September 2000, Black Box Theater, Oslo
Nationwide tour with The National touring theater, 2001

Inspired by movement in the world of movies. Five dancers move together with animated clips and scenography focused on bodies and the roles they play. Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review of the show.

You can watch the performance on tour here: http://vimeo.com/124295880
Photo: Christian Elgvin

Star.*

– A SOUND INSTALLATION
FOR TWO DANCERS

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Bjarne Kvinnsland
Dancers: Torkel Bråthen, Odd Johan Fritzøe, Thomas Gundersen, Cecilie L. Steen, Victoria Huseby, Ole Aleksander Hansen & Kine Kvarme

Premiere 22 September 1998, Våler secondary school, Hedmark

Eight cassette players create the setting for two dancers moving rapidly and partially synchronously within the soundscape. Performing Arts Award 2000 from Performing Arts Hub Norway for artistic courage. The piece has been performed 256 times in Norway and at festivals abroad.

Watch an interview with Odd Johan Fritzøe and clips from the show during the 2013 CODA Festival : https://vimeo.com/80027560
Photo: Stein Anders Larsen

Bla-ki bla-da – Linguistic confusion

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Jonas Digerud
Dancers: Terje Tjøme Mossige, Camilla Myhre, Henriette Slorer, & Marit Schade Ødegaard

Premiere 3 February 1996, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Bærum

Four dancers with cassette players form a mobile sound installation. Inspired by linguistic intermingling and popular culture, the art center’s exhibitions and architecture provide the backdrop to the choreography. Commissioned by Per Hovdenak, director of the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review.

Photo: Jacky Penot

A Dog Day’s Night

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Boubat Diabaté
Music mix: Kjell Samkopf
Dancers: Gaute Grimeland, Øyvind Jørgensen & Jo Strømgren

Premiere 21 June 1992, Black Box Theater, Oslo

Choreographic debut at the «Men Dance» festival – highlighting the male dancer in ballet. Inspired by sultry nights in the dog days of summer, three men convert their dreams into dance under the dog star Sirius in the celestial vault.
Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review.

You can watch the performance here:
https://vimeo.com/124295386
Photo: Erik Berg