Blue Mountains Conservatory

The most prestigious institution of music in the whole of Europe. Notable graduates include Pierre Martel, Isabelle Oreille, Alexandrie Louparde and Merle Moéthie.

The Conservatory has a strict admittance of four students per instrument at undergraduate level, however it also offers courses at postgraduate diploma, masters, philosophy and doctorate levels.

The Conservatory is an ebullient domed temple building situated high up above the town of Fjellpetter, in the Blue Mountains of Norway. The font of the building is glass panelled, adorned with pillars, sculptures and flags from every European nation.

In the atrium, there is a large refectory and wine room, where guests meet and greet during the intervals of concerts. Behind this is a large opera theatre – one of the largest in the continent – surrounded by three floors of boxes and tiered seating. Behind the stage is ‘the bridge’ which links the West and East wings of the building, and the opera theatre to the standard concert hall, a large basin like room. Behind the concert hall is the library, a glass structure built onto the side of the mountain, with the largest collection of sheet music and musicological resources in the country.

Flanking the front entrance are the lecture theatre and the demonstration room, where masterclasses take place. Along the West and East wings of the building are located the practise rooms and studios. There are over 50 practise rooms, which are booked on a two-hourly basis. There are a dozen studios that cater for both orchestral and chamber music rehearsals.

In the basement is also the Studio Theatre – perfect for smaller, dramatic productions, and its backstage contains 200 costumes ranging in period and style.

At the top of the atrium is the viewing room – a glass-ceiling room with panoramic views of the mountains surrounding the Conservatory.

Only the most gifted, talented young musicians are admitted to the Conservatory. Entrance is by competitive audition. Notable alumni include:

Pierre Martel (1967) – baritone
Isabelle Oreille (1968) – piano & composition
Merle Moéthie (1973) – soprano
Alexandrie Louparde (1996) – violin