THE WORLD’S FIRST CROSS-NORDIC OPERA CHOIR

Nordic Opera Choir consists of 30 professional and student singers aged 18–35 from across the Nordic countries. The purpose of Nordic Opera Choir is to create a strong cross-Nordic initiative that supports talent development, mobility, and cohesion within opera and classical singing in the Nordic region.

Through an annual Nordic tour, the choir collaborates with Nordic festivals, talent environments, orchestras, and companies, creating important connections between key players in classical music and opera throughout the Nordic region.

NORDIC TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Nordic Opera Choir serves as a unifying centre for young vocal talents, where singing becomes the starting point for a unique Nordic community, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

We aim to create a platform for artistic development, cross-border relationships, and professional networks among classical music and opera professionals across the Nordic countries.

NORDIC OPERA CHOIR 2026

Nordic Opera Choir is aimed at young, talented classical singers aged 18–35 who are currently enrolled in conservatoire studies or are trained professionals. The singers must be a resident in or citizen of one of the Nordic countries.

Each year, 30 singers from across the Nordic region are selected for a season in which they work closely with Nordic conductors, orchestras, and institutions within opera and classical music. Participants are given a unique opportunity to develop professionally, artistically, and personally within a Nordic community where learning, quality, mobility, and collaboration are at the core.

The project’s focal point is an annual Nordic concert production and tour, where the choir performs in collaboration with professional orchestras, festivals, and concert organisers throughout the Nordic countries. Rehearsals take place at an annual camp, where the repertoire is studied intensively under the guidance of Nordic conductors and mentors.

A PROFESSIONAL LAUNCHPAD

The project was developed and initiated by Den Jyske Sangskole in Herning in 2023. Den Jyske Sangskole is a recognised cultural institution that brings together talent development, project development, and artistic production under one roof. The first three years of the project have demonstrated that Nordic Opera Choir is not only an artistic and collaborative project but also a professional launchpad for young musicians in the Nordic region. 

Several former participants have since obtained engagements with professional ensembles and institutions in the Nordic countries based on the relationships established through their participation in Nordic Opera Choir. The network has already led to new cross-Nordic collaborations in Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands, where former participants and partners have developed joint projects and performances. 

NORDIC OPERA CHOIR 2026

In 2026, the Nordic Opera Choir collaborates with, among others, Nordic Song Festival in Sweden, Herning Opera Festival and Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in Denmark, and Reykjavík Opera Days in Iceland. In 2026, the choir will be led by the Icelandic conductor Ragnheiður Ingunn Jóhannsdóttir.

Programme for the Nordic Opera Choir tour 2026
August 3th – 8th: Nordic Song Festival, Sweden – Rehearsals and Concert
August 28th – 30th: Herning Opera Festival, Denmark – Rehearsals and Concert
October 28th – November 1th : Reykjavik Opera Days – Rehearsals and concerts will take place during the aforementioned period. The exact number of days will be three consecutive days.

The open call for applications to participate in Nordic Opera Choir 2026 opens on February 3rd 2026. The application deadline is February 24th 2026.

CONDUCTOR

Ragnheiður Ingunn Jóhannsdóttir