OSLO EARLY 2025 • The Meaning of Life with Barokkanerne (Norwegian Baroque Ensemble)

Experience a 17th-century tribute to life and misery with Barokkanerne and singers Aksel Rykkvin (baritone), Anders J. Dahlin (tenor), Tone Braaten (soprano), Maria Dale Johannessen (alto), and Markus Djuve (bass). 

How does one face a life where hardship and death are always lurking around the corner? With melancholy and religion, of course—but also with generous helpings of joy and gallows humor! Barokkanerne guide us through some of the most beautiful, saddest—and funniest—music ever written. Monty Python may have come along 400 years later, but “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” could just as well have been a baroque motto. And perhaps it’s still a message we need to be reminded of today? 

Performers
Jadran Duncumb & Christian Kjos, artistic directors
Tone Braaten, soprano
Maria Dale Johannessen, alto
Anders J. Dahlin, tenor
Aksel Rykkvin, baritone
Markus Djuve, bass
Barokkanerne 

Program
Henry Purcell (1659–1695): Welcome to all the Pleasures, Z. 339
Matthew Locke (1621–1677): Music for The Tempest (1667)
Robert Johnson (c. 1583–1633): Full Fathom Five (from The Tempest)
Thomas Morley (1557–1602): Excerpts from The Tempest
H. Purcell: If Love’s a Sweet Passion from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629
John Dowland (1563–1626): In Darkness Let Me Dwell
J. Dowland: Time Stands Still
J. Dowland: Thou Mightie God