Kjersti Alveberg

Kjersti Alveberg (26 July 1948 – 19 October 2021) was a Norwegian choreographer and dancer. Over the last 30 years of her career she created ballets for stage and television and won prestigious awards for her work.

Early life Kjersti Alveberg was the older of two sisters, Siri and Eli. Her parents were Per Alveberg (1921–2009), a pioneer of rehabilitation/ social worker and Kari Alveberg (1926), a specialized teacher/children with learning disabilities.

Alveberg began to dance at the age of four, but it not until she was 19 that she took the step of starting her dance studies at Norwegian National Academy of Ballet in Oslo, working at the same time at Chat Noir as a dancer. Aiming at sociology she went on to study dance in New York City, Amsterdam, London and Paris before attending the Nansen Academy. For several years she was a freelance dancer at the Oslo theatres, in fringe groups and in television. For 5 years she was a dancer, actor and singer at Det Norske Teatret doing musicals and plays, also working in TV and in fringe dance companies. Her choreographic debut came in 1975, with "Tomorrow?" at The Norwegian Opera's Ballet Workshop.

Career

In 1984 Alveberg won international acclaim, when her TV ballet "Beyond Reach" achieved 3rd prize in Prix Italia. The same year the Norwegian dance and theatre critics chose her ballet as that year's best stage production. The "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust", inspired by Ibsen's Peer Gynt, was awarded the jury's Special Prize in Prix Italia 1986 plus other national and international TV awards. TV producer Jannike Falk certainly has contributed to the success of Kjersti Alveberg's many dance films, like "Who is the one?"/"Bønn" (1996) to new music by Jan Garbarek and poems by Rumi. Alveberg has also cooperated with producer Stein Roger Bull. "Dance Macabre" (1995) is one of several NRK ballets made for The Eurovision Summer Concert at Holmenkollen. Kjersti Alveberg has choreographed several ballets for New Carte Blanche: "Amber" and "Echo", both televised in NRK. When establishing stately support for Carte Blanche, (Norway's modern dance company), Alveberg was an artistic front figure. In 1990 her full length ballet: "Volven", (Scandinavian saga of creation), premiered at The Norwegian National Ballet with music by Synne Skouen, later touring Denmark, Aalborg and The Royal Danish Opera. In 2000 The Norwegian National Ballet presented "Volven" for the third time. "Volven", (the Norse goddess of destiny) was first danced in 1989 by Indra Lorentzen, in 1994 by Nina Bjørsvik and in 2000 by Ingrid Lorentzen. "Volven" has been said to be the most grandiose and poetic epos created by a Norwegian choreographer so far.

In 1991, Alveberg won the prestigious competition of ideas for the Norwegian Olympic Ceremonies. The Lillehammer Opening Ceremony in 1994 was built on her concept of ideas. She was the artistic leader for the Olympic Ceremonies for one year, with choreographer Sølvi Edvardsen as her co-director. In 1992, she created Norway's presentation at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

"Babies of Babel" was created for The Norwegian National Ballet in 1998. "Journey On Dreamt Ocean" in 2001 was inspired by the universe of painter Terje Ytjhall.

In 2005, Alveberg released her book Visions. Eye On Dance. Press publishing house. It details her declaration of love for dance as an art form. That same year, she was appointed artistic director for the opening ceremony of The Norwegian National Library.

In 2007, she created the cross-over performance:"@lice", commissioned by Concerts Norway and The Norwegian national touring theatre. The next year, she directed and edited "@lice" for TV with Mats Claesson/Sarah Rosenbaum. Exposed in NRK2 2009.

In 2009, Alveberg was appointed head of the jury for Telenor's International Culture prize.

Alveberg's ballets have always been thematically oriented - many were inspired by art, philosophy, poetry and music. Norwegian TV has created two portrait programs about her: "Metropolis" (1990) and "Dance Me!" (2003). Produced by Morten Tomte and Jannike Falk.

Personal life and death Alveberg was married to journalist Anders Hoff in Oslo from 1981 to 1989. From 1990 to 2000 she lived with chiropractor Knut Assjer in Asker. Alveberg has one son, Noah Alveberg.

Alveberg died on 19 October 2021 at the age of 73.

Productions Year Title Notes Production Company 2010 Nano Ballet. Repertory Oslo National Academy of the Arts 2009 Transcendance Ballet duet Oslo National Academy of the Arts 2008 @lice Crossover performance. Filmed and telecasted in 2009 by NRK2 Co-production, Riksteatret/Concerts Norway 2006 Cubaret Ballet Oslo Dance Ensemble 2005 Hush! Artistic director of the Opening Ceremony National Library of Norway 2004 Mirror ("Lille Speil") Guest performance Nice/France. It's about time ("Nett No!") Guest performanceHarare/Zimbabwe Oslo National Academy of the Arts 2003 Dance Me ("Dans meg") TV portrait of Alveberg Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Dancing Cuba! Filmed and directed, TV Documentary Nordisk Films, TV2 2002 It's about time ("Nett No!") A full evening production at Det Norske Teatret Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 2001 Mirror (Lille Speil) Full evening production Det Norske Teatret Space and man ("Rommet og mennesket") As Dancer/Choreographer Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Journey on dreamt ocean ("Reise på drømt hav") Norwegian National Opera and Ballet 2000 Mini Macho Norwegian National Academy of Ballet Volven ("Volven") Full evening ballet, new version, third cast. Norwegian National Opera and Ballet 1999 Zap Zombie ("Skjeve Blikk") New version, Norway tour, telecasted on NRK Oslo Dance Ensemble Fragile Moments ("Skjøre Sekunder") Solo Line Alsaker (100 years' anniversary) National Theatre, Oslo, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Tikk Takk 1000 New years' gala 2000 Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Norwegian National Academy of Ballet 1998 Babies of Babel ("Babels Barn") Norwegian National Opera and Ballet 1997 Zap Zombie ("Skjeve Blikk") Norwegian National Academy of Ballet 1996 Who is the one ("Bønn") NRK Ballet Northvision In Me Solo Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1995 Dance Macabre Eurovision. Summer concert Holmenkollen Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Alveberg Evening 20-year anniversary Carte Blanche 1994 Picasso's Women ("Picassos kvinner") 20 years' anniversary Henie-Onstad Art Centre In One Ballet performed at Carte Blanche, Oslo Dance Ensemble, Brussels (guest appearance) National College of Dance 1993 Echo ("Ekko") First prize, Video Dance International Grand Prix. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1992 Albertville Artistic director for the Norwegian entry, Olympic Games Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Moments ("Øyeblikk") Ballet Oslo Black Box Theatre 1991 Secrets ("Lokk") Competition for young dancers EBU 1990 Metropolis TV portrait of Alveberg Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Fragile ("Glassdrøm") Dance Film, awarded Video Dance International Grand Prix. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1989 Volven (Scandinavian saga of creation) World premiere, tour Denmark, Alborg, Royal Theatre Copenhagen Norwegian National Opera and Ballet 1988 Amber ("Rav") Telecasted on NRK, Carte Blanche Bergen International Festival 1987 Spirits Ballet, telecasted on ZDF, Competition for young dancers EBU 1986 YR Solo Alveberg. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1985 Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust ("Aske, Skodde, Støv for Vinden") TV ballet from Ibsen's Peer Gynt.Prix Italia Jury's special prize. Winner Amanda Award, winner Dance for Camera, New York. Winner Video Dance International Grand Prix (2 awards). Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Media Solo Alveberg. Competition for young dancers EBU Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Now ("Nå") Winner: Dance Critics' Award, The Norwegian National Ballet Norwegian National Opera and Ballet Beyond reach ("Utenfor rekkevidde") TV production as dancer/choreographer Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1983/1984 6 Dance Videos Summer concert Holmenkollen NRK Eurovision 1981 Exodus Solo dancede by Marianne Skovli Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Blue Solo danced by Indra Lorentzen Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1980 Sweet & sour Journey ("Reise i sur-søt saus") Norsk Danseteater, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1979 Decadans ("Dekadans") Workshop, young choreographers Norwegian National Opera and Ballet Creations ("Skapelser") NRK's 10th anniversary, performed at Henie-Onstad Museum Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1976 Wish you were here ("Skulle ønske du var her") TV Ballet, regi Istvan Korda Kovacs Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation 1975 Foot ("Fot") Ballet Studio Oscar Tomorrow? ("Imorgen?") Ballet workshop at The Norwegian National Ballet Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation

Publications Visions - Eye on Dance Press Forlag (2007)

Visions – Eye on Dance is a book documenting Alveberg's work in dance, including stage and screen productions presented in large-format digital paintings. The book includes works influenced by classical literature and art, as well as material related to her creative process and production work.

Awards and honors

2008: Aase Bye's award 2006: StudySphere selected Alveberg's website as one of the best educational resources on the Web in the category "Choreography & Choreographers" 2005: Visions — Eye on Dance, Biography of Alveberg Head of the Telenor Culture Award jury 2002: Oslo City Culture Award 1998: The Norwegian Center for the Art of Dance — Prize of Honour 1997: Telenor Culture Award. "Limitless Communication" 1996: Festival International. Program Audiovisuel. "Dance Macabre" 1994: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Echo", TV ballet, First prize. TV Transmission 1990: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Fragile", TV ballet 1989: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust", Jury's special Award (two prizes) 1988: Dance on Camera, New York. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust" 1987: Amanda Award/(Norwegian Oscar). "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust" (Free Artistic) 1985: Prix Italia Jury's special Award. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust" 1985: Dance Critics' Award "Now" 1985: Prix Italia, third prize. "Beyond Reach" 1984: Oslo City art award frame|center|Kjersti Alveberg creating the Norwegian Olympic Ceremony in Albertville, France