Kjetil Støa

INTRODUCTION

Norwegian tenor Kjetil Støa, known for his powerful interpretations of the Italian, German, and Slavic repertoire, has performed across the Scandinavian opera scene.

RECENT AND FUTURE HIGHLIGHTS

Kjetil Støa’s recent (2022-2025) and future highlights include (among others):

• Števa Buryja/Jenůfa at the Royal Swedish Opera (2024) and Gothenburg Opera (2026);
• Cavaradossi/Tosca at Folkoperan in Stockholm (2025 and a re-invite in 2026);
• The Jewish Song at Stockholm Concert Hall  (2025);
• Erik/Der fliegende Holländer at Gothenburg Opera (2024) and  Kilden Opera / Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera (2025);
• Das Lied von der Erde by Mahler with The Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), Chamber Series (2024);
• Pinkerton/Madama Butterfly at Opera Trøndelag (2022);
• Don José/Carmen at Opera Rogaland (2023);
• Operagala (2022) and a recording (2025) with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera;
• Radamès/Aida at Opera Hedeland in Denmark (2022);
• a series of concerts at the Kirsten Flagstad Festival (2025);
• a Christmas concert with Yuletide (2025).

BIOGRAPHY

Kjetil Støa was born in the small town of Verdalsøra in the Trøndelag region of central Norway. He studied singing at the Conservatorium of Trondheim under the guidance of teacher Kåre Bjørkøy. Later, he continued his education at the University College of Opera in Stockholm, where he developed as a tenor with teacher Sonny Peterson.

Kjetil became part of the soloist trainee program at the Norwegian National Opera during the 2010/2011 season.

Since his debut as a tenor in 2009, Kjetil Støa has primarily worked in Scandinavia. His repertoire includes roles from the Italian repertoire, such as Calaf in Turandot, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Cavaradossi in Tosca, all by Puccini. He has performed Verdi roles such as Don Carlos, Radames in Aida, and Macduff in Macbeth. He has also tackled iconic roles such as Don José in Bizet’s Carmen and Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. In the German and Slavic repertoire, he has portrayed Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Erik in Der fliegende Holländer, as well as Števa Buryja in Jenůfa by Janáček.

His concert repertoire includes the Requiems of both Verdi and Dvořák, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle and Stabat Mater, as well as Mozart’s Requiem and various other Masses.

Kjetil has collaborated with conductors such as John Helmer Fiore, Edward Gardner, Pier Giorgio Morandi, Sasha Goetzel, Lorenzo Coladonato, Alevtina Ioffe, Aivis Greters, Alejo Pères, Alberto Hold-Garrido, Carlo Goldstein, Tomasz Tokarczyk, Thomas Søndergård, Henrik Schaefer, Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Frank Villard, Stefan Solyom, Paul Mägi, Nick Davies, Nicklas Willèn, Hannu Koivula, Ole Kristian Ruud, Terje Boje Hansen, Halldis Rønning, Alice Farnham, Marit Stridlund, Per Kristian Skagestad, Peter Szilvay, Torodd Wiggum, Cathrine Vinnes Trevino, Øyvind Bjorå, Magnus Loddgård, Mari Rosemir, Andreas Lönnquist, and Kjell Seim.

He has also worked with stage directors such as Stefan Herheim, Alessandro Talevi, Rodula Gaianou, Roberto Recchia, Stein Winge, John Ramster, Raimundas Banionis, Alexander Mørk-Eidem, Tobias Theorell, Tomasz Konina, Melikka Melouani Melani, Pierre Mechanick, Leah Hausmann, Ivar Tindberg, Hilde Andersen, Ronald Rørvik, Kristofer Steen, Marit Moum Aune, Hanne Tømta, Heidi Bruun Nedergaard, Einar Bjørge, Bjørn Sæter, Arnulf Haga, Daniel Bohr, and Zuzana Gilhuus.

EDUCATION

• University College of Opera in Stockholm (2007-2009): Voice teacher Sonny Peterson (transition to tenor) from 2008;
• Master’s degree in Opera Vocal Performance (2005-2007) at the Department of Music, NTNU;
• Bachelor’s degree in Classical Singing (2001-2005) with voice teacher Kåre Bjørkøy.