Den Nationale Scene

The precursor of Den Nationale Scene was the Norwegian Theatre (Det Norske Theater), established in 1850 by the Norwegian violin virtuoso and social activist Ole Bull. In the years 1851–1857, Henrik Ibsen was a consultant and director there, and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson managed the theatre in the years 1857–1859. After a hiatus caused by financial problems, the theatre reopened in 1876. The current building of Den Nationale Scene was erected in 1909.

Every year, during the Bergen Festival, Den Nationale Scene hosts a number of important shows. On 29 and 30 May 1962, the Norwegian Opera's ballet company and orchestra gave the world premiere of Arne Nordheim's ballet Katharsis, written in cooperation with choreographer Ivon Cramér and stage designer Guy Krogh.

Arne Nordheim composed incidental music to two of Henrik Ibsen’s plays: Brand (1968) and Peer Gynt (1969). In 1972, he also received a commission to write music for Shakespeare’s Macbeth.