Sissel Kyrkjebø

Sissel Kyrkjebø, born on June 24, 1969, is a celebrated Norwegian soprano renowned for her exceptional versatility as a musician, opera singer, and voice actor. Rising to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, she captivated audiences with her unique blend of pop, folk, classical, and operatic music. Her rendition of Ole Paus' 'Innerst i sjelen' (Deep in My Soul) became a defining moment in her career, earning her widespread recognition in Norway during the 1990s.

Notably, Sissel performed the Olympic Hymn at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Her collaborations with esteemed artists such as Plácido Domingo, Charles Aznavour, and Andrea Bocelli at the Christmas in Vienna concert further solidified her status as a top crossover soprano. Additionally, her contribution to the Titanic film soundtrack showcased her ability to transcend genres and reach a global audience.

In December 2007, Sissel received her first Grammy nominations for her collaboration with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on the album 'Spirit of the Season,' which was recognized for both Best Classical Crossover Album and Best Engineered Classical Album. With combined solo record sales exceeding ten million albums, primarily in Norway, she stands as a remarkable figure in the music industry, with her album 'Strålande Jul' achieving eleven times platinum status.

While Sissel primarily sings in English and Norwegian, her linguistic prowess extends to Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Irish, Italian, French, Russian, Icelandic, Faroese, German, Neapolitan, Māori, Japanese, and Latin. In her home country, she is affectionately known as Sissel Kyrkjebø, a name that translates to 'church farm' or 'church field,' though she has embraced a mononymous identity abroad as her career has evolved.