Sangerhilsen
Singer’s Greeting

Music by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Lyrics by Sigvald Skavland (1845-1878)

English Lyrics, Translations and Notes
Prepared by Dr. Alf Lunder Knudsen

Edvard Grieg set the melody to the text of lyricist Sigvald Skavland’s poem. Traditionally the host chorus as a welcome to guest choruses and singers normally uses Sangerhilsen to open Sangerfest or Sangerstevne.

First performed at the “6th Giant National Sangerfest” (June 16-18, 1883) on Sunday June 17 in Trondheim by a “host chorus” of 200 representing the four choruses from that city. Sangerhilsen was an immediate success performed [by request] time and again during that Sangerfest.

The repertoire for Norwegian Male Choruses had been for the most part limited to songs by lesser-known German composers often set to Norwegian texts. By the 1880s more Norwegian patriotic material became available, and new songs were introduced at every Sangerfest. Gradually the programs took on a more distinctive Norwegian flavor and at the June 16, 1883, concert, a total of 11 Norwegian compositions were performed.