Solveig Kringlebotn

Norwegian soprano singer, her true name Solveig Kringlebotn, born in 1963, studied at the Norvegian Academy of Music and the Royal Opera Academy in Stockholm, where she also began her stage career. Witold Lutosławski, having heard her at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, later said of the moment: "Her recital made a great impression on me. I realized that this is the ideal type of voice and interpretation for my new composition". The composition was a cycle of songs with orchestra titled Chantefleurs et Chantefables, written to the words of Robert Desnos. Its world premiere was given by Kringlebotn and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the composer, on August 8, 1991, at the London Proms, and was enthusiastically received. This concert became a turning point in the career of Solveig Kringlebotn, who from that time is counted among the leading Scandinavian singers and appears on the foremost dramatic and concert stages. The Varsovian public received her with no less an applause in September 1991, when she performed the solo part in the Polish premiere of Chantefleurs et Chantefables at the closing concert of the 34th Warsaw Autumn, also under the direction of the composer. Kringlebotn recorded Lutosławski's songs under the baton of Daniel Harding. (kt / trans. mk)