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During the past week, I had the opportunity to visit with Suzan Erens and see/hear her sing at the at the Kulturverkstedet on Sjogata Street in the historic section of Mosjoen, Norway. This was advertised as a "Luncheon with Opera" or perhaps an "opera with your coffee". Anyway, I decided that it was time to see Suzan and learn about her new home..... So where exactly is Mosjoen, Norway and how do you get there ??
For me, the easiest solution is to plug some numbers/data into my Garmin GPS planning page and look at a "proceed direct" solution. From Dallas, USA to Mosjoen, Norway, the shortest route would be a route over Canada, Greenland, thru the Arctic Circle, north of Iceland, across the Norwegian Sea and arrive at Mosjoen. Distance covered would be 4082 nautical miles or 7560 kilometers. And yes, Suzan is closer to us (USA) now compared to when she lived in the Sittard. |
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The next discovery regarding Mosjoen is the small regional airport that is just 5 kilometers south of the city and is near the Vefsna River.
The Mosjoen (MJF) Airport is served by SAS-Wilderoe with the Dehavilland DHC-8 twin turboprop airplane which carries about 40 passengers. The airport has high terrain on all sides, so the steep approach required is similar to the approach flown into Aspen or Vail, Colorado. |
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Similarly, the departures flown from MJF require a terrain avoidance route around the Oyfjellet Mountain which stands at 2670 feet elevation, just west of the town.
On this beautiful day in Mosjoen, I photographed a Wilderoe airplane departing MJF and flying past the snow-capped Oyfjellet Mountain. |
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But driving from the Mosjoen Airport, I stopped on the road near the departure end of Runway 34 and took a photo of the Vefsna River with town visible in the background. The picturesque setting reminded me of some small Colorado mountain towns and beyond Mosjoen, part of the "Sju Sostre" (Seven Sisters) snowy peaks were visible. |
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Once in Mosjoen, it was very easy to find my way around the city of 10,000 inhabitants in the midst of the Vefsnfjord. I found the Helgeland Bank building and the bell-shaped weather camera on the third story of the bank building. From the weather camera perch, it is possible to monitor the adjacent pedestrian mall via the web-cam. ;
Looking past the bank in the photo below you may note the historic wooden structures (Sjogata Street) and the imposing snow-capped Oyfjellet Mountain beyond. From here, the Kulturverkstedet was just around the corner where Suzan was singing ! |
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About this same time, I also became aware of the Norwegian trains that pass thru Mosjoen enroute to points south. As an alternative in very poor weather, it is possible to ride the train from Mosjoen directly to the Trondheim (TRD) Airport or to the Oslo (OSL) Airport. From either of these two airports, you may catch jet flights to other parts of Europe or North America. |
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Walking down Sjogata Street, I found my way into the Kulturverkstedet or Cultural Workshop. Once inside, I located a program "Operalugsj med Suzan Erens" and began reviewing the highlights. As I was early, I could hear Suzan still rehearsing and running checks, etc. in the next room.
I decided to go into the auditorium part and take a seat quietly while she was still busy with the Vefsn Ensemble group. But she saw me, waved and came over to give me a hug. Then, she bounced back to the stage to finish last minute items.
I was glad that I came early because the place began to fill-up. It wasn't long before the Overture and Suzan began to sing the first selections from "Didos and Aeneas" by English Composer Henry Purcell. |
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Working with the Vefsn Ensemble and Franziska Wika on piano, Suzan sang selections from "Dido and Aeneas" including "Ah, Belinda" and "Dido's Lament". |
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Next, Suzan sang "Voi Che Sapete" from "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart. |
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After an instrumental number, Suzan came back on stage and sang "Memory" from Andrew Lloyd Webber. |
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To complete the Lunch Menu, Suzan sang one of her favorites "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". |
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At the conclusion, the Vefsn Ensemble posed with Suzan for a group photo. |
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Following the Opera-Luncheon, Suzan and I had coffee while talking about this small community on the Norwegian Coast. She likes her new home in an area that reminds one of small towns in the Colorado Rocky Mountains but with the added advantage of the ocean nearby.
Who knows where this will lead but for now, she is happy and healthy in her Norwegian retreat with an outlet for her singing. Life doesn't get any better. |
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It was really great to see and hear her again ... LIVE. Can't wait for the next time, wherever and whenever that may be..... |
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One of the nice things that Suzan enjoys in Mosjoen is taking her dog, Bobbie, with her everywhere.
Bobbie patiently waits for Suzan and is a very friendly dog with everyone ..... But when he hears that distinctive Voice speaking Dutch, Bobbie runs straight to Suzan. |
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It was so nice to read about Susan--I hope she is happy and not missing Andre & his orchestra--she was with them for such a long time--I miss her sweet voice and it just doesn't seem right without her
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Ed, you must be the ultimate Suzan fan. This is such a pleasure to read about your trip to see & talk to her. I am glad she is happy & singing. Thank you for your story.
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hi there, thanks ed for the special on suzan, and iam a fan to of hers she has a beautiful voice and she is a lovely girl. iam glad she is happy.i to hope one day she will be in canada and in calgary, so then i will see her in person, like you ed i would love to meet her. and please keep me informed about her. also gang did you ever get my picture bach to me of andre' and i the one i had taken with him in vacouver on the 12/2009. i have not seen it. and have you given up on me are what. my story with andre'. thanks elaine burch.
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Hi Elaine, we have not given up on your report. I have it ready to go. I am waiting for the photo which Sally has sent to me. Her scanner is not up and she has asked me to scan it for her. Once I received it I will publish your story immediately. Hugs to you
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Thanks Ed for this wonderful story. I, too, miss Suzan & I am glad she is so happy.
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This is a beautiful story of a beautiful lady. Suzan sounds like she's very happy. I love the little town she lives in, it seems so refreshing and peaceful.
It's nice to see that she is singing and happy in her work. I hope that someday we may see and hear her again.
Until that time, I hope her life is always a happy one.
Her dog is so cute!
Thank you Ed Martin for your story, it was a pleasure reading it. Please keep us informed. The pictures are fantastic.
Thanks also Sally, for putting this here for us to read.
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You see so many photos of Suzan Erens preforming ,but unfortunately you can't hear her beautiful voice.That's sort of like buying the most expensive tv with the best sound money can buy .but when you turn it on there's no sound. It enough to make you cry. Maybe someday she'll finally come out with her own cd of cause a dvd wouldn't be bad either
Regards
John
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