Sissel Kyrkjebø

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sissel Kyrkjebø


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias = Sissel
Born = birth date and age|1969|6|24
Died =
Origin = Bergen, Norway
Instrument = Vocals
Voice_type = Soprano
Genre = Pop, Folk, Classical Music, Operatic pop
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1986 - present
Label = Decca, Denon
Associated_acts = The Chieftains
URL = http://www.sissel.net
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Sissel Kyrkjebø (born June 24, 1969 in Bergen, Norway), also known as just Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano. She is best known for singing the Olympic Hymn (Hymne Olympique) at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, for duets with Plácido Domingo, Charles Aznavour, José Carreras, Neil Sedaka, Warren G, Josh Groban, Diana Krall, Russell Watson and The Chieftains, and her participation on the "Titanic" film soundtrack.

Sissel received her first U.S. Grammy nominations on Dec 6th, 2007 for a collaboration with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. "Spirit of the Season," a collection of songs from the choir’s 2006 Christmas concert featuring Norwegian recording artist Sissel and the Orchestra at Temple Square, was nominated for the Best Classical Crossover Album of the Year, as well as Best Engineered Classical Album. [http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/choir-nominated-for-two-grammy-awards Choir Nominated for Two Grammy Awards] ]

Sissel is considered one of the world's top crossover sopranos. Sissel's musical style runs the gamut from pop recordings and folk songs, to classical vocals and operatic arias. She possesses a "crystalline" voice [ [http://www.sissel.cc/nyheter04.html Sissel.cc] ] and wide vocal range, sweeping down from mezzo-soprano notes, in arias such as "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" from Saint-Saëns's opera "Samson et Dalila", to the F natural above soprano C. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtenFJ6x75k Sissel hits Soprano F at 2:42] ]

Sissel's combined solo record sales (not including soundtracks and other albums to which she contributed) amount to 10 million albums sold, most of them in Norway—a country with 4.7 million people.

Biography

Sissel sang in a children's choir from the time she was nine years old, and won her first local talent competition when she was eleven. She was influenced by various musical genres; her parents were interested in country and classical music, and her brothers' interest in rock influenced her also. Later, Sissel said Barbra Streisand was a huge inspiration.

In 1983, she appeared for the first time on Norwegian TV with the song "Evergreen" in the children's program "Halvsju." In 1984 Sissel appeared in the sing-along program "Syng med Oss" ('Sing with us') together with a children's choir. The first Norwegian song she sang with this choir was the Norwegian folktune "Ung Åslaug".

Sissel sang solo on TV several times in 1984. She also appeared in several TV programs, and met Rune Larsen, who later became her first manager.

1986 - 1994: Rise to prominence at home

In May 1986, Sissel performed during the intermission of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was arranged in Grieg Hall in her hometown of Bergen. That same year, her first album, "Sissel," was released, which set the record for most albums sold in Norway with over 500,000 copies sold in its first run. Also in 1986, Sissel Kyrkjebø was named "Årets navn" (Person of the Year) by the Norwegian national newspaper Dagbladet.

In 1987 her Christmas album "Glade Jul" was released. It contained several traditional Christmas carols and it broke her previous record for most albums sold in Norway. This album still holds the record for most albums sold in Norway. The initial release sold over 600,000 copies in a country with only 4.5 million people and has since sold over 900,000. In Sweden, a Swedish version was released, called "Stilla Natt."

In the fall of 1988, Sissel moved to Oslo for a short period to play the role of Maria von Trapp in the Norwegian version of The Sound of Music. This production set box office records and was seen by over 110,000 people.

Sissel recorded the audio dub of the character Princess Ariel for the Norwegian, Swedish and Danish versions of the 1989 Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

In 1989, she released her third album, Soria Moria, and met the man whose wife she would become, the Danish comedian and singer Eddie Skoller, to whom she became engaged to in Christmas 1991 and married on 21 August 1993. Sissel has two young daughters Ingrid and Sarah with Skoller, whom she divorced in 2004.

In February 1994 Sissel performed during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer. [http://www.sissel.cc/02_03news.html Sissel Featured in Billboard Magazine] ] Legendary Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo visited Norway during the Olympics, where he came across one of her earlier albums. He contacted Sissel and the next day they recorded "Fire In Your Heart," an English version of "Se ilden lyse," the official theme song of the Lillehammer Olympics. These two versions of the song were released in February 1994 on Sissel's solo album "Innerst i sjelen" (Deep Within My Soul) a collection of Nordic folk songs. Plácido Domingo invited Sissel, along with world-renowned French singer Charles Aznavour to partake in his annual "Christmas in Vienna" concert later that year. The concert was broadcast around the world as well as released as an album internationally. [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Sissel.htm Sissel Kyrkjebø (Soprano)] ]

1995 - 2001: Climb to international recognition

In 1995, Sissel was invited to perform at the annual Royal Variety show in London. There she performed the renowned aria "O Mio Babbino Caro" from the opera "Gianni Schicchi" by Giacomo Puccini and the Norwegian classic "Vitae Lux" with the choir "Gli scapoli".

In 1997 Sissel toured the USA with the Irish group The Chieftains. They appeared, among other places, on "The Late Show" with David Letterman and in Carnegie Hall. Later that summer Sissel was involved in recording the soundtrack to the film "Titanic," which reached #1 on the Billboard charts and sold more than 24 million copies worldwide.

Sissel had a #1 hit across Europe in 1998 with "Prince Igor," a duet with American rapper Warren G on the concept album "The Rapsody Overture" which combined American rappers with European opera singers. Sissel sang an aria from Borodin's opera "Prince Igor" during the chorus, while Warren G rapped.

In 1999, she sang the Gaelic song "Siuil A Run" on The Chieftains' 1999 album "Tears of Stone."

November 2000 Sissel released (in Norway only) her solo album, "All Good Things", which was her first solo album in nearly seven years. In 2001, Sissel released "All Good Things" throughout Europe and Asia.

In December 2000 she was invited to represent Norway at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, where she sang "One Day" and "Weightless", both songs from her latest release "All Good Things". She was presented by Jane Seymour as "the Norwegian star Sissel."

In 2000 she also released a greatest hits collection in Japan that included two new songs from the Japanese TV show "Summer Snow", one of which was the show's theme song. Sissel is enormously popular in Japan and has released several Japanese versions of her albums there.

In 2001 she was asked to sing a duet with the Danish goth rockers Sort Sol. Sissel sang with them on the track "Elia Rising" from their album "Snakecharmer," released in May 2001. They also performed together on the Roskilde Festival that year.

2002 to present: Global stardom

On October 1st, 2002 Sissel released her first album in the USA, which sold over 100,000 copies in its first three months of release with almost no advertisement or marketing. [http://www.norway.org/News/archive/2003/200303sissel.htm Sissel aims at U.S. Fame] ] The album sold better than Decca record execs expected. Their initial goal was to sell 100,000 copies in the first 9 months. Her USA album, self-titled "Sissel," is largely a re-recording of songs from her Norwegian album, "All Good Things" with a couple of other songs such as "Solitaire" and "Shenandoah" added.

On May 24, 2002 dressed in traditional Norwegian costume, Sissel performed her hit "Lær Meg Å Kjenne" at the wedding of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn.

In late 2002 one of Sissel's concerts was filmed at the Oslo Spectrum and later broadcast in March 2003 on PBS in the United States. The British Singer Russell Watson was one of her guests. It was subsequently released as the DVD "Sissel in Concert".

In December 2002 Sissel again was invited to represent Norway at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Here she sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz", and a duet with Josh Groban. They sang "The Prayer".

Sissel released her second USA album "My Heart," in March 2004, a classical crossover album, which also included two pop songs written by Richard Marx and one ballad "Wait A While" written by Jon Lord of Deep Purple.

In the summer and fall of 2004 Sissel went on tour with The Lord of the Rings Symphony Tour. [http://www.sissel.cc/nyheter04.html Sissel tours with the Lord of the Rings Symphony] ] Sissel was a featured soloist on an orchestral performance dedicated to the music from the "The Lord of the Rings" films. At each performance, Sissel performed with a symphony orchestra and choirs with 200 musicians on stage. Howard Shore stated, "Ancient Norwegian mythology and culture had a great influence on Tolkien's work. It is very thrilling to have the Norwegian singer Sissel perform as a soloist in The Lord of the Rings Symphony. Sissel's radiant voice illuminates this work." When asked about the tour in an interview, Sissel raved "I love the music. It's such a wonderful feeling to be sitting in the middle of a symphony orchestra, surrounded by the beautiful voices of the choir and all those gorgeous melodies".

In May 2005 Sissel performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Utah on their radio and TV broadcast "Music and the Spoken Word," which is featured on nearly 2,000 stations across the USA and around the world. Sissel joined the choir to commemorate the Centennial of Norwegian Independence from Sweden, which was being celebrated that year. Sissel sang the ABBA song "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room," "Vitae Lux," the traditional Norwegian hymn "Herre gud, ditt dyre navn og ære," and the Norwegian national anthem "Ja, vi elsker dette landet!" (Yes, we love this country!), with the choir.

In October 2005 Sissel was invited to perform on the well known temple-concert, Ninnaji Otobutai, in Osaka, Japan. [http://www2.norway.or.jp/culture/news/0510sissel.htm Sissel performs at Ninnaji Otobutai] ] She sang "Pie Jesu", "Sancta Maria" (intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana"), "You Raise Me Up", and several other songs. The year before, Sarah Brightman was their guest on this concert. This concert was aired on television in Japan. Soon afterward it was announced that Sissel would be knighted by the King of Norway to the position of Knight of the 1st Class in the Order of St. Olav for her contributions to music and as an ambassador for Norway. In February 2006, Sissel officially received her knighthood and the medal that goes with it.

In December 2006 Sissel again joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for their annual Christmas concerts as the featured soloist. In four performances, she sang for more than 80,000 people in the 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The concerts were videotaped for PBS television, and aired in December 2007.

Sissel is currently dating her accompanist and arranger Kjetil Bjerkestrand. Bjerkestrand is co-founder of Timbersound with a friend, a-ha's Magne Furuholmen. He also accompanied Morten Harket at a private party in Trondheim, in January 2007.

Sissel has celebrated more than 20 years in the music industry with the release of a greatest hits album containing 40 of her best and most well-known songs. In February 2007 Sissel received the Norwegian Grammy Award of Great Honor. She is the youngest Norwegian performer ever to receive this award. And in March 2007, a statistically representative sample of the Norwegian population chose her as the best female Norwegian musical artist, in competition with 15 other big names, including Lene Marlin, Wenche Myhre, Kari Bremnes, and Bertine Zetlitz. In the summer of 2007 Sissel toured Norway, Sweden, France and the USA with a band. According to Sissel this is a new concert format without a choir.

For the 2007 holiday season, PBS stations aired two concerts starring Sissel as part of the December pledge drive, one with the aforementioned Mormon Tabernacle Choir titled "Spirit of the Season", released on CD and DVD in late September 2007, the other with operatic legend and good friend José Carreras titled "Northern Lights", released on CD and DVD in early November 2007. The albums of these concerts have proven to be extremely popular, with "Northern Lights" reaching #10 in the Billboard Classical Crossover list, [http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=806827 "Northern Lights" reaches #10 on Billboard Classical Crossover list] ] and "Spirit of the Season" staying firmly planted at #1 on the Billboard Classical charts [http://www.sissel.net/main.asp?id=73&segment=4 Spirit of the Season - #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart] ] for nine consecutive weeks. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=Top+Classical+Albums Billboard.com Charts - Top Classical Albums] ]

Sissel concluded an eight-city US tour in February 2008, singing selections from "Northern Lights". [http://www.ballade.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008011513465959354085 US spring tour for Sissel] ] This is the first wing of a US tour that will last all year. The second wing covers the Central US, and starts in April. [http://www.ballade.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008032510515737600823 Sissel returns to the US for spring tour] ]

Discography

Solo albums

* "Northern Lights" (2007)
* "De beste, 1986-2006" (2006) - Scandinavian greatest hits release
* "Into Paradise" (2006) - UK/USA release
* "Nordisk Vinternatt" (2005) - Scandinavian release: aka "Nordic Winter Night"
* "My Heart" (2003 in Norway, 2004 in USA (different songs on USA release)
* "Sissel" (2002) - USA release
* "In Symphony" (2001)
* "All Good Things" (2000)
* "Fire In Your Heart" (1998) - Japanese greatest hits release
* "Innerst i sjelen" (1994): aka "Deep Within My Soul" - UK release
* "Vestland, Vestland" (1993) - Japanese release
* "Gift Of Love" (1992)
* "Amazing Grace" (1991) - Japanese release
* "Soria Moria" (1989)
* "Glade Jul" (1987)
* "Sissel" - Swedish release (1987)
* "Sissel" - Danish release (1987)
* "Sissel" (1986)

Soundtracks

* "37 1/2" soundtrack album (2005)
* "Vanity Fair" soundtrack album (2004)
* "The Forsyte Saga" soundtrack album (2002)
* "Evelyn" soundtrack album (2002)
* "Flyvende Farmor" soundtrack album (2001)
* "Summer Snow" soundtrack album (2000)
* "Back to "Titanic" soundtrack album (1998)
* "Long Journey Home" soundtrack album - with The Chieftains (1998)
* "Titanic" soundtrack album (1997)
* "The Adventures of Pinocchio" soundtrack album (1996)
* "Den lille havfruen" soundtrack album (1990): aka "The Little Mermaid" - the voice of Ariel for the Norwegian, Swedish and Danish versions
* "Drømmeslottet" soundtrack album (1986)

Christmas albums

* "Spirit of the Season" - with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2007)
* "Silent Night: A Christmas in Rome" - with The Chieftains (1999)
* "Julekonserten 10 år" (1999)
* "Julekonserten" (1996)
* "Christmas in Vienna III" (European CD title) - with Plácido Domingo and Charles Aznavour (1995): aka "Vienna Noël" (USA CD title)
* "Julen är här" - with Tommy Körberg (1989)
* "Stilla Natt" - Swedish release (1987)
* "Glade Jul" - Norwegian release (1987)

Other albums

*"Venn (Friend)" - charity single written by Espen Lind and Lene Marlin, recorded with other Norwegian artists to raise money for Tsunami relief (2005)
* "Ave Maria" - duet with Bryn Terfel from "Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites" (2003)
* "Sacred Songs" - Sissel sings 2 songs with Plácido Domingo on his album (2002)
* "Vinterbarn" - Sissel sings one song with Proffene on their album "Handsfree" (2001)
* "Elia Rising" - single from Sort Sol's album "Snakecharmer" (2001)
* "Siuil A Run" - single from The Chieftains' album "Tears of Stone" (1999)
* "Bacchianas Brasileiras" - single from Gli Scapoli's album "Everything Must Change" (1998)
* "Prince Igor" - with Warren G, single from "The Rapsody Overture" (1998)
* "LIVE" - Sissel sings 3 songs with the Oslo Gospel Choir on their album (1990)
* "Folket som danser" - duet with Sigvart Dagsland on his album "Seculum Seculi" (1988)

Singles

*"O Tysta Ensamhet" - Promosingle (2005)
*"Can't Go Back" - 2 tracks (2003)
*"Gå Inte Förbi" - with Peter Jöback - 1 track (2003)
*"Elia Rising" - with Sort Sol - Promosingle (2001)
*"Better Off Alone" - Promosingle (2000)
*"One Day" - Promosingle (2000)
*"Prince Igor" - with Warren G - 6 tracks (1997)
*"Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker" - 1 track (1995)
*"Eg Veit I Himmerik Ei Borg/remix" - 3 tracks (1995)
*"Fire In Your Heart" - with Plácido Domingo - 3 tracks (1994)
*"Se Ilden Lyse/Fire In Your Heart" - 2 tracks (1994)
*"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do/Imagine"- with Neil Sedaka - 4 tracks (1993)
*"Need I Say More/If" - 2 tracks (1992)
*"Gift Of Love/Breakaway" - 2 tracks (1992)
*"Pokarekare Ana/Amazing Grace" - Vinylsingle (1989)
*"Folket Som Danser/Eg Ser" - with Sigvart Dagsland - Vinylsingle (1988)
*"Kärleken/Vem" - Vinylsingle (1987)
*"Vårvise/Eg Ser" - with Sebastian - Vinylsingle (1986)

Songs Sissel has performed but not released on CD

* The Prayer (Duet with Josh Groban)
* Min Bön (Swedish version of "The Prayer") (Duet with Peter Jöback)
* The Old Castle
* I Have A Heart (Duet with Peter Jöback)
* Tonerna
* En yndig og frydefuld sommertid
* Guttelokk
* Förälskat I Köpenhamn
* Don`t Cry For Me Argentina
* Auld Lang Syne (Duet with Peter Jöback)
* The Sound Of Music
* Herre Gud Ditt Dyre Navn Og Ære
* Blant Alle Guder
* Kystland
* Kling No Klokka
* O Holy Night (Duet with Dee Dee Bridgewater)
* Evergreen
* Time To Say Goodbye
* Fever
* You Are My Sunshine (Duet with Eddie Skoller)
* Jentelokken
* You Don`t Bring Me Flowers
* Bridge Over Troubled Water (Duet with Russell Watson)
* Climb Every Mountain
* Katteduetten
* Boat Song
* I Feel Pretty
* Lille Vackre Anna
* The Star-Spangled Banner
* Walking Through Fire (Song written by Espen Lind)
* You`ll Never Walk Alone
* Dovregubben`s Hall
* Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet (Norwegian National Anthem)
* Over The Rainbow
* O Sole Mio
* Kjærlighetsvise
* Solveigs Song
* Pål Sine Høner
* Anna Lovinda (Song written by Erik Bye)
* Joy To The World/Deck the Hall
* Dansevise (Duet with Lars H.U.G.)
* Love, oh, love
* Vær Nå Velkommen Med Æra
* Marry Me
* Norwegian Sunset (Duet with baSix)
* Ren og rettferdig
* Can`t Help Falling In Love

References

External links

* [http://www.sissel.net/ Sissel: Official site]
* [http://www.sissel.org/ The Sissel Website : Online Since 1997]
* [http://www.sissel.cc/snakke/ Snakke Sammen: The Sissel Forum]