Born in 1993 on the Norwegian west coast, Gunvald Ottesen is a conductor who bridges
symphonic tradition with theatrical and cross-genre storytelling. Equally at home in the opera
pit, musical theatre, or alongside jazz soloists, he is increasingly sought after for productions
that dissolve the boundaries between concert and stage.
His professional breakthrough came in 2020 with Gothenburg Opera’s production of
Cabaret. Soon after, he was selected as Music Director for the Norwegian premiere of Benny
Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Kristina från Duvemåla at Bømlo Teater (2021, reprised
2023). At Folkoperan Stockholm, he led Così fan tutte under director Ulrike Schwab,
followed by Tidens Larm — a musical theatre fusion featuring acclaimed Swedish actor
Johan Ulveson, showcasing Gunvald’s flair for narrative-driven, cross-disciplinary work.
In parallel, he has emerged as a new and exciting voice in orchestral-jazz collaboration. With
the Arctic Philharmonic, he conducted the premiere performance of When did the colors
change in collaboration with pianist-composer Liv Andrea Hauge, and in the 2025/26 season
he partners with acclaimed jazz pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff for a new symphonic jazz project
with the same orchestra.
Further recent highlights include house debuts with Bergen National Opera and the Bergen
Philharmonic (Amahl and the Night Visitors) and an upcoming season with the Norwegian
National Opera & Ballet, conducting both Christmas concerts and a new Così fan tutte with
WOYS Young Artists. He also premieres the chamber opera nara at the Borealis Festival in
Bergen and the Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens. The 2025/26 season will see him make
his debut with e Nordic Chamber Orchestra conducting Kristina från Duvemåla and
also, his debut with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, continuing to expand his artistic
reach across Scandinavia.
Beyond the stage, he has guest-conducted leading Scandinavian orchestras including the
Stavanger Symphony, Norrköping Symphony, the orchestra of the Norwegian National
Opera, and the orchestras of Gothenburg Opera and NorrlandsOperan, as well as multiple
collaborations with Norway’s and Sweden’s top wind ensembles.
Educated at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Norwegian Academy of
Music in Oslo, with an early background in both violin and theatre, Gunvald’s work is
defined by one artistic conviction: music in service of storytelling.
Said about Gunvald:
Professor Georg Bühl: “— I can only hope that Gunvald gets all the support he needs to start his own career in the music world, especially in opera.”
Professor B. Tommy Andersson: “He has now ended his (Master program) studies and fulfilled his examinations with best possible results. (—) Gunvald Ottesen is a very talented musician and conductor with the surplus valuable quality to spread ease and well-being to his colleagues and fellow musicians. (—) That is why I heartily recommend Gunvald Ottesen to all venues were he can conduct and work with musical drama. He will always do a profound and inspiring work and be an asset.”
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