Bel Canto is a Norwegian electronica duo known for their ethereal soundscapes, blending atmospheric synths with folk and world music influences. Central to their signature style is Anneli Drecker’s haunting and otherworldly voice, which has been compared to artists like Kate Bush and Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins. The band was formed in Tromsø in 1985 by Drecker, Nils Johansen (synth, violin, bass, guitar), and Geir Jenssen (synth, programming). They quickly gained international recognition, becoming one of the first Norwegian acts to sign with a foreign label. Their debut album, White-Out Conditions (1987), was released on Crammed Discs after they relocated to Brussels. After their second album, Birds of Passage (1989), Jenssen left to pursue his solo project, Biosphere, while Drecker and Johansen continued as a duo. Bel Canto found mainstream success in Norway with Shimmering, Warm & Bright (1992) and the Spellemann Award-winning Magic Box (1996). Following a long hiatus after Dorothy’s Victory (2002), Bel Canto returned in 2024 with Radiant Green, their first new album in over 20 years. They also performed several festivals and several club concerts, proving their music remains as captivating as ever. Outside of Bel Canto, Drecker has built a successful solo career, as well as collaborating with Röyksopp, a-ha, and Ketil Bjørnstad, while multi-instrumentalist Johansen has composed music for film and television. With their pioneering use of electronic elements and Drecker’s unmistakable voice, Bel Canto remains a cornerstone of Norwegian electronica, inspiring generations of artists. Drecker is featured on Rÿksopp´s new release True Electric, due out on April 11th this year.

Owen Hindley