Olav Werner (July 29, 1913 – March 10, 1992) was a Norwegian singer and recording artist.[1][2] He was a frequent soloist in the NRK programs Listener's Choice (Norwegian: Ønskekonserten)[3][4] and Devotion (Norwegian: Andakten). He released a number of records and held many concerts, over 300 of which were with the organist Rolf Holger.
Werner was born in Geithus, Norway.[5] He was a tenor/baritone, and he studied singing with Sigurd Hoff at the Oslo Conservatory of Music.[5] Starting in 1937,[5] he recorded over 800 singles and LPs.[3] For several years he sang hits, and in 1945 he made his debut with church concerts.[5] With NRK, Werner sang romantic songs and folk tunes. He also participated in some opera productions. For 19 years he was also a member of the Andaktskvartetten (Devotional Quartet). He sang in Arne Eggen's opera Cymbelin when it was performed at the National Theater in Oslo in 1951.[5] He also gave concerts elsewhere in Scandinavia and in England and Germany.[5]
On 7 June 2009, a memorial commemorating Olav Werner was unveiled in Geithus.[3][6][7] Werner lived at Eiksmarka for most of his life. For many years, he owned and ran a funeral home in Oslo and Bærum.[5]
