Tucked away in the garden at Troldhaugen, the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina, Troldsalen is a small, intimate concert hall sitting just under 200 spectators. Concerts take place here throughout the year, and the hall can also be rented out for private performances. The large floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage let the light flood in and reveal a lovely view of the composer's hut and Lake Nordås in the background. A great place to listen to Edvard Grieg’s music while enjoying the very scenery that inspired his work.
Troldsalen. Photo: Dag Fosse/KODE Bergen
Lysøen, Bergen
Set on its own island a few miles south of Bergen, Lysøen is the former home of Norway's violin virtuoso and composer Ole Bull. The villa, an eclectic building as colourful and unconventional as its former owner, features a mix-match of styles – the overall effect is not unlike that of a fairytale castle. The Lysekoret Choir holds each summer a number of recitals in the intricately decorated Music Hall, the main room at Lysøen. The Bergen International Festival also has some concerts there in May-June
Concert at Lysøen. Photo: Dag Fosse/KODE
Baroniet Rosendal, Hardanger
Photo: Baroniet Rosendal
Geilo Ice Music Festival. Photo: Marie Peyre
Opera at the Underwater Pub. Photo: Jan Liedtke
Fredriksten Fortress, Halden
Not content with its stunning location overlooking the Iddefjord and Halden Harbour, Fredriksten Fortress also enjoys one of Norway's most strategic military positions, guarding the border with Sweden to the south. It is one of Norway's most visited fortresses, with 350,000 visitors last year. The 350-year-old complex also makes for a terrific open air concert venue, and a number of events and festivals take place here every year, from opera (Mozart's The Magic Flute is on this year) to the popular Tons of Rock festival, held in June.
Carmen, Fredriksten Fortress. Photo: Halden Arbeiderblad