Name: Poetry Café Book Launch for Dr. William Halverson's Translation of Garborg's "Haugtussa"
Start: 2025-10-04T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-04T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Norway House, 913 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55404

$Poetry Caf\u00e9 Book Launch for Dr. William Halverson's Translation of Garborg's "Haugtussa"$

Dr. William Halverson, a world authority on the music of Edvard Grieg and foremost English language translator of Norwegian music literature and song texts of the works of Grieg presents a book launch of his translation of Arne Garborg's "Haugtussa," one of the most significant pieces of literature written in the Nynorsk Norwegian language. This publication marks the first English translation of this Nynorsk masterpiece for the first time since its 1895 publication.
Garborg was one of the foremost proponents of Landsmål, or Nynorsk, a language developed by Ivar Aasen as a fusion of various Western Norwegian dialects. This was a nationalistic reaction against years of Danish rule over Norway, including the heavily Danish-influenced Bokmål language that had been imposed on Norway at the expense of distinctive Norwegian regional dialects.
"Haugtussa" is a verse novel,” Halverson explains. “Like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha, it is a volume of poems that collectively tell a story—in this case an epic story about the emotional and mystical coming-of-age journey of a Norwegian shepherd girl."
It gained international acclaim after Grieg set 8 of Garborg's 70 poems to music in his Op 67 Haugtussa Song Cycle, widely considered to be among Grieg's finest songs.
Halverson's translation delves into the depths of the story, beyond the love story that Grieg set in his song cycle. It reveals the rich inner life of the otherworldly heroine, Velsemøy, the mountain maid (Haugtussa).
Dramatic readings of Halverson's English translation will be presented by Norwegian actress Wenche Strømdal. Soprano Melissa Holm-Johansen and pianist Bryon Wilson will perform Grieg Haugtussa songs, Petra Bjørkhaug will provide a piano prelude and postlude. Remarks by Dr. Bill Halverson, reception and book-signing will follow.
This is a co-presentation of the Edvard Grieg Society of MN and the Leif Eriksson International Festival at Norway House. Advance registration is available at www.egsmn.org to help us plan for the reception. There is a $15 requested donation.
This event also leads up to two upcoming, related EGSMN event – the Nov. 2 World premiere at Mindekirken of "The Temptations of Veslemøy," Kjell Habbestad's song cycle for voices, piano, oboe, and bass from Halverson's translations of Garborg's masterpiece. A gala 2:00 ELMO Catering buffet luncheon at Norway House precedes the 4:00 world premiere at neighboring Mindekirken. Brian Newhouse, former Managing Director of MPR/APM’s classical programming, will interview composer Kjell Habbestad and translator/librettist Bill Halverson in anticipation of the world premiere. The concert is general admission, pay as you will. Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased at https://egsmn.org/event/the-temptations-of-veslemoy-lunch/