The music festival ECHO Rising Stars, which is a collaborative project of the European Concert Hall Organization or ECHO, took place in Norðurljós on 9 and 10 May, where Icelandic audiences had the opportunity to get to know outstanding musicians from various European countries who are shaping their artistic voice on the international stage.

Over the course of a weekend, Norðurljós was filled with a wide variety of sounds from MAAT saxophone quartet from Portugal, the pianist Giorgi Gigashvili from Georgia, the Austrian cellist Valerie Fritz and Álfheiður Erla Guðmundsdóttir, soprano, together with the pianist Kunal Lahiry. The programme reflected the breadth that characterises ECHO Rising Stars, where new music, classical tradition and the personal approach of young performers come together.

Harpa’s participation in the project marks a new chapter in its international collaboration. ECHO Rising Stars aims to support outstanding young musicians on the rise and give them the opportunity to perform in many of Europe’s finest concert halls.

With the festival in Norðurljós, Harpa joined the ranks of concert halls that introduce emerging artists to their audiences. The weekend was therefore not only a series of concerts, but also Harpa’s first step into a project that connects the house even more strongly to the living dialogue of European musical life. It is also worth mentioning that, in addition to the concerts at Harpa, all the musicians performed at concerts and events held in various locations around the capital area, in collaboration with Hennar rödd, Hrafnista Laugarás, the Directorate of Labour, and the ÖBÍ disability rights association.

Below are photos from all four concerts held at Norðurljós over the weekend. Harpa thanks the musicians for coming and wishes them all the very best for the rest of their ECHO Rising Stars concert tour around Europe.