Ola Isene

Ola Isene (2 June 1898 – 6 May 1973) was a Norwegian opera singer (baritone) and actor.

Isene was born in Rødenes and studied at the Musikkonservatoriet in Kristiania. He made his professional debut at the Mayol-teatret in 1923. His operatic roles were varied, among them Beckmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Scarpia in Tosca, and Amonasro in Aïda – most of them at the Nationaltheatret, which at the time had opera on its programme. He took part in many tours and also appeared in operettas, including as Schubert in Jomfruburet. In 1929, he sang Al Jolson's parts from The Jazz Singer when it was presented as a silent film in Sweden, and in the middle of the 1930s, he moved to theatre and film as an actor.

Isene also played the title role in the three criminal radio plays Inspektør Scott på farten by John P. Wynn, which were broadcast by Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation radio in 1960 and 1961.

Ola Isene was from 1926 married to the singer and voice teacher Haldis Ingebjart Isene (1891–1978). His brother Torbjørn was a great-grandfather to discus thrower Ola Stunes Isene.

Filmography

1931: Kärlek och landstorm (Swedish) 1932: The Southsiders (Swedish) 1940: Tørres Snørtevold 1942: Trysil-Knut 1946: Englandsfarere 1946: Så møtes vi imorgen 1946: Vi vil leve 1948: Den hemmelighetsfulle leiligheten 1948: Trollfossen 1952: Andrine og Kjell 1955: Blodveien 1957: Peter van Heeren 1958: Høysommer 1958: Ut av mørket 1960: Struggle for Eagle Peak 1960: Veien tilbake 1961: Hans Nielsen Hauge 1963: Vildanden 1964: Nydelige nelliker 1964: Alle tiders kupp 1965: Skjær i sjøen 1968: Sus og dus på by'n 1970: Balladen om mestertyven Ole Høiland 1970: Olsenbanden og Dynamitt-Harry 1973: Knut Formos siste jakt