Having finished his BMus (Hons) degree at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the UK, Icelandic/Norwegian bass-baritone Einar Stefánsson is currently continuing his studies with renowned soprano Solveig Kringleborn at the Opera School of the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo (Norway).

Einar was a member of the Young Artist Programme at Buxton International Festival in 2019 and the Young Artist Programme at the leading Norwegian opera company Bergen National Opera from 2016-2021. supported by the Waverly Fund and the James and Mary Glass Scholarship and EGV. Einar has developed a particular interest in contemporary and experimental music and projects concerning social issues alongside the core repertoire.

Recent appearances include the roles of Første far and Tredje far in the contemporary Norwegian opera Syvende far i huset (L. E. Gudim), the opening of Oslo Opera Festival, a lunchtime concert at the Norwegian National Opera and the roles of Father (Hansel und Gretel), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro) and Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) in a performance of opera scenes at the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo.

Other operatic roles include 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 Georgiana (winner of the ‘Achievement Award in Opera’ at the UK Theatre Awards 2019), both at Buxton International Festival in 2019, Brühlmann in Bergen National Opera’s production of Werther as well as various roles in performances with RNCM Opera.

Professional chorus engagements include performances with Bergen National Opera, Buxton International Festival, Opera North and Opera Holland Park (2023). Einar has been a regular guest singer with the professional Norwegian vocal ensemble Edvard Grieg Kor, both in a-capella concerts and symphonic concerts.

Einar’s previous teachers include distinguished British bass-baritone Simon Kirkbride and internationally acclaimed bass Matthew Best. He has appeared in master classes with artists such as Julius Drake, Toby Spence, Christopher Purves and Ingeborg Gillebo.

In 2020, Einar co-founded the professional a-capella quartet FirStemt, which has since performed a number of concerts in Norway. In recent years, Einar has also been active as a teacher, teaching singing and violin, and choral conductor, leading a variety of workshops, community projects and singing courses.

Being curious and versatile, Einar has been involved in a number of adventurous projects and performances of new musical works, including a lead role in the world premiere of Adam Gorb’s opera The Path to Heaven at Howard Assembly Room in Leeds to great critical acclaim.

Exciting projects ahead include the role of Ein Hofcourier in the opera Die alte Metode (Andersen-Wingar), D. Cimarosa’s opera Il maestro di cappella for solo bass-baritone and chorus in Opera Holland Park’s production of Rigoletto in London in June 2023.