Biography

Ingunn Korsgård Hagen, a Norwegian conductor experienced in a wide variety of ensembles and repertoire, known for her ability to create a rich and colorful sound through her vivid communication skills and a strong podium presence. She holds the position of assistant conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with chief conductor Edward Gardner. Prior to this role, she served as the assistant conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of Dirigentforum organized by Talent Norway and Dirigentløftet. 


She has conducted and performed with orchestras including the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Kristiansand Symphony orchestra, Orchestra Innlandet, Gstaad Festival Orchestra and Sinfonie Orchestra Biel Solothurn. 


In the current season, she has been chosen as a participant in the Nordic Dirigentforum, where she has already conducted in a masterclass with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra under the guidance of Klaus Mäkelä. Later in the season, she will conduct in a masterclass with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under guidance of professor Sakari Oramo.



Hagen completed her master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in conducting at the University of Stavanger with Bjarte Engeset, Peter Szilvay and Trond Korsgård as her professors. During her studies, she immersed herself in historical informed performance and made a concert and lecture about Frans Brüggens and received top grade for the project. For her final recital concert of the Master ́s program, she premiered, among other repertoire, «Mountain Songs and Arias» a piece written and dedicated to her by the Norwegian composer Stig Nordhagen.



In the summer of 2022, she was the only participant from the Nordic countries selected to participate in the Gstaad Conducting Academy. Over the course of three weeks, she got to work with the Gstaad Festival Orchestra, under the guidance of Jaap van Zweden, Johannes Schlaefli, and Baldur Bronnimann. During her time at the academy, she was chosen, among other things, to conduct a sold-out concert featuring soloist Anastasia Kobekina. In 2021 she also participated in the VIII Panula Competition, as the only participant from Norway.



She made her debut as an opera conductor, performing the Norwegian premiere of Philip Glass ́ In the Penal Colony. She also conducted the opening concert of the Kirsten Flagstad festival 2023 with excerpts from Massenet’s Manon, Puccini La boheme and Madam Butterfly among other repertoire. 



In the coming months, Hagen will assist the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra both locally and on their Europe tour, alongside conducting her own concerts with them, as well as with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she has been reinvited to lead the opening concert of the Kirsten Flagstad Festival 2024.