Sun 12 Oct
2:30 pm
€15 + BF
Sean Bell is a countertenor and performance artist from Oslo, Norway. He holds a Master’s degree in Early Music Voice from the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague (NL), where he studied with Catrin Wyn-Davies, Pascal Bertin, Robin Blaze, Peter Kooij and Tineke Steenbrink. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Performance and Music Pedagogics from the Norwegian Academy of Music, studying with Mona Julsrud.
Sean performs operatic, chamber, and sacred works from the classical and early music canon. He also investigates new methods of interpreting this repertoire. Through contemporary sonic imaginations he has made new arrangements of old works, including a synth-pop album of songs by John Dowland. His investigation into refiguring early repertoire has led to a series of collaborations and solo performances on the border line between classical music and performance art. Sean also works extensively with contemporary music and has premiered and commissioned several pieces for countertenor.
Sean has worked with a variety of ensembles including Ny Norsk Messingkvintett (New Norwegian Brass quintet), Oslo 14, Early Voices and The Norwegian Soloist Choir. Bell plays baroque guitar, is an active improviser, and engages in instrument building and music electronics.
In 2021 he made his debut at Høstutstillingen (the Norwegian state’s annual exhibition) with his performance work ‘Stille Amare’. In November 2023 he made his solo debut at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet in the role Johan in the opera ‘Ingenting (Nothing)’ by David Bruce. In spring 2024 he did a European tour of his album ‘Dowland Downloaded’.
