Ole Bull

Ole Bornemann Bull was born on February 5, 1810, in Bergen. Refusing a clerical career, he studied violin in Paris, where he was inspired by Niccolò Paganini to develop an astonishing virtuoso technique characterized by flat-bridged violins enabling simultaneous four-string chords.

Bull toured triumphantly throughout Europe and North America, performing before kings and packed concert halls. A passionate nationalist, he was the first classical artist to integrate Norwegian folk tunes (slåtter) played on the Hardanger fiddle into the concert hall. In 1850, he founded Det Norske Theater in Bergen, giving early directorships to Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, and discovered the youthful talent of Edvard Grieg.