Haldor Lægreid

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Haldor Lægreid was born in 1970 in Tromsø, Norway. He grew up in several towns in northern Norway before moving to Trondheim. In Trondheim, he attended the Trondheim Cathedral School, where he took part in the music program. During his school years, he landed a lead role in a student production of the musical Kiss Me, Kate. He was also active in a local dance group. After finishing high school, Lægreid pursued formal performing arts training. He was accepted into the Ballet Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he spent three years honing his skills and performing in various student productions. This early foundation in music, dance, and acting set the stage for his career as a Norwegian singer and performer.

Musical Theatre Career in the 1990s

Upon completing his studies, Haldor Lægreid embarked on a successful musical theatre career across Europe. He gained experience in prominent stage productions in Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Some of the notable musicals he performed in during the 1990s include:

• Cats – Ensemble cast member in the German production

• West Side Story – Performed in a German-language production

• Les Misérables – Cast member in a German production of the classic musical

• Sophie’s World (Sofies Verden) – Appeared in the world premiere stage adaptation of Jostein Gaarder’s novel

• Atlantis – Took a role in the Danish musical Atlantis

• Rent – Starred in a Norwegian staging of the rock musical at Trøndelag Teater

• As You Like It – Performed in a Norwegian adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy (titled Hver sin lyst) at Trøndelag Teater

• Jesus Christ Superstar – Portrayed Judas in a 2000 production of the rock opera in Trondheim

By the end of the 1990s, Lægreid had built an impressive résumé in musical theatre. He showcased his vocal range and acting talent in roles ranging from classic Broadway shows to modern rock operas. In late 2000, he also co-produced a tribute concert called Thank You for the Music with fellow performer Stephen Brandt-Hansen, celebrating ABBA’s music. That same year, he joined the ensemble of Hair during its run at Oslo Spektrum in Oslo. 

National Recognition and Eurovision Song Contest 2001

Haldor Lægreid’s national breakthrough came in 2001. After a guest appearance on the popular NRK musical game show Beat for Beat, he was invited to compete in Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2001 (the national selection for Eurovision). Lægreid entered the contest with the powerful pop ballad “On My Own.” He won Melodi Grand Prix 2001, earning the honor of representing Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen that year.

The entry finished in last place, scoring just 3 points (all from the Portuguese jury). It was a disappointing result for Norway, which meant the country had to sit out the following year’s contest. However, the song itself achieved moderate commercial success in Norway. “On My Own” reached No. 5 on the Norwegian singles chart (VG-lista) in 2001. This chart performance demonstrated that Norwegian audiences appreciated Lægreid’s talent even if the Eurovision outcome was not favorable. 

Continued Stage Career in Germany (2001–2010)

Instead of pursuing a pop music path after Eurovision, Haldor Lægreid returned to his roots in musical theatre. He had already established himself in the European stage circuit, and after 2001 he continued to perform primarily in Germany’s vibrant musical theater scene. Lægreid settled in Germany and took on numerous roles in major productions throughout the 2000s. For example, he joined the cast at the Apollo Theater in Stuttgart, where he performed in the hit musical Elisabeth. In the Stuttgart production of Elisabeth (2005–2006), he impressively covered three different roles, including that of Emperor Franz Joseph. Performing up to seven shows a week, Lægreid demonstrated dedication and vocal stamina during this run.

In late 2006, Lægreid was cast in one of the lead roles in Vampyrenes natt, the Norwegian title for Dance of the Vampires. This stage musical (based on Roman Polanski’s film) opened at the prestigious Theater des Westens in Berlin in December 2006. Landing a starring part in the big-budget Berlin production was a significant achievement in his international career. Lægreid’s move to Germany proved fruitful as he remained active in multiple German-speaking productions. Over the years, he portrayed characters in long-running European shows and continued to refine his skills as both a singer and an actor. By the end of the decade, Haldor Lægreid had spent many years abroad, gaining recognition as a seasoned musical theatre artist outside of Norway.

Later Career, Teaching, and Recent Activities (2010s–2025)

Entering the 2010s, Haldor Lægreid gradually shifted focus from full-time performing to other endeavors in the arts. After years on large stages, he took on roles as a teacher and vocal coach, sharing his expertise with aspiring singers and actors. He remained involved in entertainment through smaller projects and media appearances. Notably, Lægreid was featured as an actor in an art-house film titled A Border Musical in 2013. This experimental musical film project, presented at the Bergen International Festival, included Lægreid in its ensemble cast, showcasing his ability to cross into screen acting.

In the following years, Lægreid kept a lower public profile, focusing on mentoring young talent and occasionally appearing in special events. After spending a period away from the limelight, he made a celebrated return to the stage in the 2020s. In late 2022, Haldor Lægreid joined forces with fellow Norwegian performers Lisa Stokke and Magnus Wærness Olsen for a Christmas concert tour in northern Norway. The show, titled Strålende Jul (“Brilliant Christmas”), marked a comeback for Lægreid and delighted fans who remembered him from his earlier career. The successful holiday tour became an annual event, with performances scheduled in subsequent years as well.