Bjørn Simensen
Encyclopedia
Bjørn Erik Simensen is a Norwegian culture administrator and former journalist. He is known as director of the Norwegian National Opera
from 1984 to 1990 and 1997 to 2009.
He was born in Lillehammer
. Starting his career as a journalist, he worked in Fredriksstad Blad
and then in Sunnmørsposten
from 1966 to 1972.
He then worked as a culture administrator. First, 1973 to 1980, he worked in Sandefjord
municipality. He then became director of Gothenburg Concert Hall
from 1980 to 1984, then of the Gothenburg Symphony before his first period as director of the Norwegian National Opera, from 1984 to 1990.
He was editor-in-chief for the national newspaper Dagbladet
from 1990 to 1995 before returning to the National Opera. He oversaw the construction of the Oslo Opera House
, which was opened in 2008. He stepped down in 2009.
On 3 December 2007, Simensen was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.
Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet is the first fully professional company for opera and ballet in Norway. Its seat is the Oslo Opera House.It was founded in 1957...
from 1984 to 1990 and 1997 to 2009.
He was born in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
. Starting his career as a journalist, he worked in Fredriksstad Blad
Fredriksstad Blad
Fredriksstad Blad is the biggest local newspaper in Fredrikstad, Norway. Having a rivalry with Demokraten, it is published six days a week. The chief editor is Erling Johannes Omvik....
and then in Sunnmørsposten
Sunnmørsposten
Sunnmørsposten is a newspaper published by Mecom Group in Ålesund, Norway. Published in compact format six days a week, it consists of two sections; one for local news, sports and classified ads, and one for culture, weather, opinions and editorials and obituaries...
from 1966 to 1972.
He then worked as a culture administrator. First, 1973 to 1980, he worked in Sandefjord
Sandefjord
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sandefjord. The municipality of Sandefjord was established on 1 January 1838...
municipality. He then became director of Gothenburg Concert Hall
Gothenburg Concert Hall
Gothenburg Concert Hall is located in Gothenburg, Sweden and was built in 1935. The architect for the facility was Nils Einar Ericsson, a major advocate of Functionalism...
from 1980 to 1984, then of the Gothenburg Symphony before his first period as director of the Norwegian National Opera, from 1984 to 1990.
He was editor-in-chief for the national newspaper Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
from 1990 to 1995 before returning to the National Opera. He oversaw the construction of the Oslo Opera House
Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is the home of The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera theatre in Norway. The building is situated in the Bjørvika neighborhood of central Oslo, at the head of the Oslofjord. It is operated by Statsbygg, the government agency which manages property for...
, which was opened in 2008. He stepped down in 2009.
On 3 December 2007, Simensen was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.