Märtha's career as a performer

[Julia]

Royals applaud their singing princess

A visibly pregnant Princess Martha Louise wrapped up a nationwide concert tour in Oslo with the Oslo Gospel Choir on Sunday. Her closest family, led by parents King Harald and Queen Sonja, formed an enthusiastic cheering section.

The princess made royal history in Norway with her starring role on stage as an entertainer. She and the choir have held 27 concerts all over the country since the Christmas tour started November 30 in Harstad.
"I've seen six of them, so I'm what you'd call a 'super fan,'" said her proud husband Ari Behn as he walked into the Oslo Spektrum arena Sunday evening along with his own parents and the rest of the royal family.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son Marius returned late last week to Norway from London, where they're studying. They were along for the concert, as were the crown princess' mother and step-father from Kristiansand.

The arena was nearly sold out with several top politicians in the audience as well, including Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.

Princess Martha Louise both read out loud from her own Christmas fairy tale, called "The Christmas Lights" (Julelysene), and sang, backed by Sigvart Dagsland and the choir.

The princess wore a maternity dress specially designed for her by textile expert Hege Mari Sorum. Her first child is due in late April or early May.

A pregnant Princess Martha Louise on stage at the Oslo Spektrum arena. PHOTO: Fjeldstad, Knut

[Julia]

Princess Martha Louise's husband Ari Behn joked with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son Marius on their way into the concert Sunday evening.

PHOTO: KNUT FJELDSTAD / SCANPIX

Photos and story from: www.aftenposten.no

[Julia]

MARTHA LOUISE ENDS YEAR WITH DOUBLE PLATINUM ALBUM

27 DECEMBER 2002
After a great year that’s seen her marry and announce her first pregnancy, Princess Martha Louise of Norway goes into 2003 with another, less conventional, achievement under her belt – a double platinum album.

The pop princess has been on national tour with the Oslo Gospel Choir, whose album has sold more than 200,000 copies. No mean feat in a country whose music market is a tough one to break: only Elvis Presley, Björn Eidsvag and Eminem have had the same level of success.

Martha Louise says she’s thoroughly enjoyed her experience of touring with the choir, although it has been demanding. Next time she sings, she says, it’ll be rock ‘n’ roll.

At the gala performance that wrapped up the tour at Oslo's Spektrum stadium, Martha Louise's parents King Harald and Queen Sonja were in the audience, accompanied by her husband, the writer Ari Behn, and her brother Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Mette-Marit.

[Mandy]

November 27, 2003 - UT PÅ TUR: Prinsesse Märtha Louise og Sigvart Dagsland (t.v.) skal også i år på en førjulsturné sammen med Oslo Gospel Choir og korets dirigent Tore W. Aas. Foto: LINDA NÆSFELDT
http://www.vg.no/

[Mandy]

December 12, 2003 - Märtha Louise singing with the Oslo Gospel Choir.
www.adressa.no

December 14, 2003 - Märtha Louise singing with the Oslo Gospel Choir.
www.bt.no

December 14, 2003 - Märtha Louise singing with the Oslo Gospel Choir.
Brynjar Eidstuen Photo

[Josefine]

butikken.nrk.no/butikk/ product211.html

www.kkv.no/musikk_klubb/ tekster/gospel.htm