Norwegian baritone Leif Jone Ølberg stood out for vocal flair

– Evening Standard, Il barbiere di Siviglia, PopUp Opera

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Acclaimed for his comic talent, commanding stage presence, and beautifully resonant voice, Norwegian baritone Leif Jone Ølberg has become a regular at both the Royal Danish Opera and the Danish National Opera. His roles span a versatile repertoire, including Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Onegin in Eugene Onegin, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Escamillo in Carmen, Marullo in Rigoletto, Schaunard in La Bohème, and Bello in La Fanciulla del West. Notably, he performed Tadeusz in the Scandinavian premiere of Weinberg’s Holocaust opera Die Passagierin, where he showcased his skill as a violinist by performing Bach’s Chaconne from Partita No. 2, woven into the opera’s score for his character.

In 2021, Ølberg took on the role of Reverend Jones in the Kenyan opera Nyanga – Runaway Mother at the Kenya National Theatre, an experience that deepened his commitment to supporting and mentoring young opera singers in Kenya. Beyond the operatic stage, Leif Jone is an accomplished oratorio and lieder singer, regularly touring Norway with his father as accompanist.