Christiania Theater

The Christiania Theater was located on Bank Square, opposite the Lodge. The auditorium was often used as a concert hall (it even hosted evening concerts given by the fabulous theatre orchestra), with a capacity of 800. Tellefsen was a frequent guest there during his visits to the capital. It is also where he met the government official and future minister Erik Røring Møinichen (1797−1875), a music aficionado who encouraged him to give a recital in the theatre hall. On 5 May 1842, Tellefsen gave his first concert in the Norwegian capital, performing Chopin’s Concerto in E minor, accompanied by the local orchestra.

In 1850 and 1860, Tellefsen played at the Christiania Theater numerous times. In 1855, which proved to be the breakthrough year for Tellefsen in Norway and for his career as a pianist, he played to a full house. He enjoyed rave reviews, with his playing described as the best heard so far in the Norwegian capital. Tellefsen played his own Piano Concerto No. 2 with the orchestra and numerous solo piano pieces − his own and Chopin’s. One reviewer discussed the French orientation of his repertoire, highlighting the clarity and melodiousness of the pieces.