Join us for a musical program featuring the poetry of Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge! “RIT” is performed by Norwegian artists Reidun Horvei (voice) and Inger-Kristine Riber (keyboard and composition). The poems in this song cycle follow the seasons of the year while they mark developments in Hauge’s poetry and in his personal life.

Olav H. Hauge enjoyed both critical and popular success during his lifetime (1908-1994) and since his death his stature has only grown. Hauge’s iconic poem “Det er den draumen” (“This is the Dream”) was recently designated as Norway’s national poem.

An introduction to the program and the poet, Olav H. Hauge, will be given by Katherine Hanson. Hanson collaborated with Horvei and Riber on the creation of “RIT” which had its premiere at the Ulvik Poetry Festival September 5, 2021. Over the following six weeks “RIT” was performed 25 times throughout Western Norway.

About the Team

Reidun Horvei has worked as a professional singer in the field of classical music, contemporary music, and folk songs for a long time. She first encountered Hauge’s poetry in the late 70s and on several occasions performed with the poet himself.

Inger-Kristine Riber has gained international attention with her technical mastery of the piano and her poetic interpretations. She has won several prizes and awards and is regarded as one of Norway’s leading musicians. Much of her work is colored by a vision of creating new arenas for classical music and to that end she has initiated several projects, both at home and abroad.

Katherine Hanson lives and tends her garden in her home overlooking Puget Sound, just north of Seattle, Washington. Her abiding interest in Hauge’s poetry took root nearly fifty years ago when she started work on her doctoral dissertation: Nature Imagery in Olav H. Hauge’s Poetry. She has taught Norwegian and Scandinavian literature and culture to American students for just about as many years. Her publications include An Everyday Story: Norwegian Women’s Fiction and English translations of several novels by Amalie Skram, her four marriage and two asylum novels.

Ragnhild M. Gudbrandsen is known for her acting roles in theatre and film productions as well as for directing a number of productions. She appears regularly at Den nasjonale Scene in Bergen and also has a strong connection to Det Vestnorske Teater. Her dramatization of the monologue “Babette’s Feast” enjoyed great success touring in 2018-2020.

Thomas Pihl has distinguished himself as one of Norway’s foremost artists of his generation. Since 1994 he has also been a part of New York’s art scene. He has made a name for himself at key institutions both nationally and internationally. In recent years, in addition to his drawings and sculpture, he has explored the monochrome, monumental painting. Pihl is currently a professor at KMD/UiB.