US Embassy Norway
Today we finally met our friends in the Public Affairs Office at the US Embassy in Oslo. They have been terrific in arranging for our performance at Ambassador Ong's residence and providing support for our travel and accomodations in Oslo. We stopped in at the embassy to meet them and give them a few tokens of appreciation from Hawaii. After a brief visit Monica Figueroa, our primary contact there, walked us across the street to see the Royal Palace. A very impressive building and grounds overlooking much of the city and one of the most popular shopping areas in Oslo. We arrived just in time to see a changing of the guard.
The Ambassador's residence is a beautiful old mansion with enormous rooms and handsome furnishings. Ambassador Ong and his wife invited a small group of Americans and foreign diplomatic counterparts to attend the evening. There were about 50 all together, including our friends Bastiaan and Trinet Blomhert.
We began with an arrangement by Marsha of the Norwegian national anthem, a very lovely piece, followed by the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii Ponoi. The rest of the program was selected by Ambassador Ong from our tour repertoire. He chose the Klughardt Quintet to begin and then the Reicha Adagio. We concluded with a set of Hawaiian selections. Marsha explained each song in regard to its history and meaning, especially Aloha Oe which was our final piece. We then presented the Ambassador with a lovely koa box that was provided by the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau. We had a brass plaque placed inside with an engraved message commemorating our performance. We also presented the official greetings of Governor Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hanneman.
A reception followed where we met many of the guests. At least 10 other ambassadors were there from Chile, Poland, Spain and other countries. Several were very interested in inviting us to perform in their home countries, so we may have to begin more tour plans soon. Everyone was very friendly and the food was excellent. We really felt special being presented to such a distinguished group of people and to have an chance to discuss music and travels with them. It was an evening we won't soon forget.
Arriving at the Ambassador's Residence
With Ambassador Ong after our concert
The Ambassador's residence is a beautiful old mansion with enormous rooms and handsome furnishings. Ambassador Ong and his wife invited a small group of Americans and foreign diplomatic counterparts to attend the evening. There were about 50 all together, including our friends Bastiaan and Trinet Blomhert.
We began with an arrangement by Marsha of the Norwegian national anthem, a very lovely piece, followed by the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii Ponoi. The rest of the program was selected by Ambassador Ong from our tour repertoire. He chose the Klughardt Quintet to begin and then the Reicha Adagio. We concluded with a set of Hawaiian selections. Marsha explained each song in regard to its history and meaning, especially Aloha Oe which was our final piece. We then presented the Ambassador with a lovely koa box that was provided by the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau. We had a brass plaque placed inside with an engraved message commemorating our performance. We also presented the official greetings of Governor Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hanneman.
A reception followed where we met many of the guests. At least 10 other ambassadors were there from Chile, Poland, Spain and other countries. Several were very interested in inviting us to perform in their home countries, so we may have to begin more tour plans soon. Everyone was very friendly and the food was excellent. We really felt special being presented to such a distinguished group of people and to have an chance to discuss music and travels with them. It was an evening we won't soon forget.
Arriving at the Ambassador's Residence
With Ambassador Ong after our concert
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