Håkon Berge

Håkon Berge (born 22 April 1954, in Stavanger) is a Norwegian contemporary composer, conductor and arranger. Berge studied composition at the Music Department at the University of Stavanger and the Norwegian Academy of Music. As a composer, Berge has contributed to stage productions at institutions such as Rogaland Teater, Den Nationale Scene and Oslo's National Theatre. He has also contributed to TV productions, including the score for the domestically broadcast opera Gagarin – a space opera in 1991. Berge has penned a number of commissioned works, including a work written for the opening of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the opening work for Oslo's Nobel Peace Center and the 2008 European Brass Band Championship test piece Brass Blot.As a freelancer, Berge has held positions as musical director, composer in residence and conductor at Norway's major theatres and has written music for more than 70 plays. In addition to his work on music for theatre productions, Berge has received commissions from the Norwegian Society of Composers, the Norwegian Authors' Union, Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival, NRK and the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.Berge has held a number of positions on the Norwegian music scene, including stints as chair of the Norwegian Society of Composers and chairman of the board of TONO. From 2009 to 2013, Berge served as director of Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.