About

Icelandic/Norwegian bass-baritone Einar Stefánsson recently finished his studies at the Opera School of the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo (Norway), having previously studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the UK and Iceland University of the Arts in Reykjavík. Einar was a member of Opera Holland Park’s Young Artist Programme in London in 2024.

Recent highlights include a solo recital at Salurinn in Kópavogur during the festival Óperudagar in Iceland (October 2025), the role of Jan in Missy Mazzoli’s opera Breaking the waves, a concert with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the title role in Don Pasquale, the bass solos in Mozart’s Requiem with the Norwegian Boys’ choir and receiving 2nd price in the competition Vox Domini in Iceland.

Other operatic roles include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Fiorello (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Frère Laurent (Romeo et Juliette), Lettmatros in the world premiere of the opera Kommandanten at Oscarsborgoperaen in Norway, the role of Frank in Die Fledermaus at Bergen National Opera/Opera by the fjord, Cimarosa’s opera Il maestro di cappella, the role of Ein Hofcourier in the world premiere of the opera Die Alte Metode, the roles of Rudi/Nazi Officer/Kapo in the world premiere of Adam Gorb’s critically acclaimed opera The Path to Heaven, The Judge in The Orphans of Koombu and Blackmailer (cover) in the award winning opera Georgiana, both at Buxton International Festival. Einar has also sung the role of Brühlmann in Werther (Bergen National Opera), the roles of Første far and Tredje far in the contemporary opera Syvende far i huset as well as various roles in performances with RNCM Opera. In opera scenes at the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo and at the RNCM, Einar has performed roles such as Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Father (Hänsel und Gretel), Le Spectre (Hamlet), Tesoriere (Un giorno di regno) and Uberto (La serva padrona).

Einar was a member of the Young Artist Programmes at Bergen National Opera and at Buxton International Festival. He has received scholarships from Lilly Stiftelsen, Fond for utøvende kunstnere, Skipsreder Tom Wilhelmsens Stiftelse, Johnny Ellings legat and Stiftelsen Benjamin Johannessen Legat, The Waverly Fund and James and Mary Glass as well as Edvard Grieg Kor.

Being curious and versatile, Einar has been involved in a number of adventurous projects and performances of new musical works, including lead roles in the world premieres of a number of operas and other works. He has premiered contemporary works with ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic, The Royal Norwegian Marines Band, Psappha Ensemble and in numerous chamber settings.

Einar’s previous teachers include Solveig Kringlebotn, Simon Kirkbride, Russell Smythe, Hanna Dóra Sturludóttir and Matthew Best. He has performed in master classes with artists such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Anne Sofie von Otter, Audun Iversen, Susanna Eken, Julius Drake, Bengt Forsberg, Kristinn Sigmundsson, Dísella Lárusdóttir, Toby Spence, Christopher Purves and Ingeborg Gillebo.