KJELL HABBESTAD (b. 1955, Bømlo, Norway) is Professor of Theory and Composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway. He received his professional training at the same institution, after which he taught music theory at the Bergen Music Conservatory (1981–86) and the Music Conservatory of Eastern Norway (1986–96). He has been on the faculty at the Norwegian Academy of Music since 1996. Habbestad has been a prolific composer throughout his career. His catalog of works includes orchestral works (organ concerto, flute concerto, oboe concerto, clarinet concerto saxophone concerto and a concerto for hardanger fiddle and orchestra) chamber works for various combinations of instruments, i.e. two string quartets and a clarinet quintet, choral works, works for organ, piano, and a number of dramatic works — among others Mostraspelet (The Moster Pageant), which anually from 1984 to 2015 tas performed at an outdoor stage in Moster, Norway; the oratorio One Night on Earth, 1993; the operas Hans Egede’s Night, 1995, The Maid of Norway, 2000, Nenia — in memoriam Fartein Valen, 2014, all librettos by Paal-Helge Haugen; Adam and Eve, 2008 (Henrik Wergeland), Karlstad 1905 — A Page in the History of Civilization, 2016, and the musical The Count of Monte Cristo, 2011 (own librettos). His latest release Kjell Habbestad: Quattro Stazioni was released in April 2020 on the Norwegian label LAWO Classics.