By ESPEN A HANSEN, translated from Norwegian by Robert A Jones

At one time Sissel Kyrkjebø used to joke that she had two marriages: one with Eddie Skoller and one with Arne Svare.

First she split from Skoller. Now she's splitting from Svare. The news came like a lightning bolt from clear sky.

"You know, Sissel and I are splitting up," came the news from the mighty music mogul.

Inseparable
The relationship between Sissel and Svare has been built upon respect and trust. They have been loyal and inseparable partners through thick and thin. In good times as well as bad. If you met Sissel anywhere in the world, you could be certain that Arne was never far away.

Together Sissel and Svare control the master tapes and release rights to all of her albums. They have shared all expenses and income on a 50/50 basis.

In 1989 Rune Larsen rang and asked Svare if he would consider being Sissel's manager.

The rest is history.

Sissel's 10 studio albums have sold 5 million copies. She has appeared with many of the world's greatest voices.

In August, during a studio session in Sweden, they agreed that enough was enough.

"This didn't happen over night," said Svare when we meet him and Sissel in an enormous hotel suite in Oslo.

It's time to separate.
"But it will be a while before we put this into effect. We have worked together for 17 years. We realized this was the way to go," Svare said.

"Yes, it is about time we parted," said Sissel.

"The reason is completely musical. It is important to remember that this is not just a question about management. We release Sissel's albums together on our own label. We run, in a way, a record label together. We promote concerts. It is a much more encompassing partnership than just a management agreement," said Svare.

"What exactly have you been in disagreement about?"

"There have been many things," said Svare.

"Yes, there have been," agrees Sissel.

"There have been many small things that have gotten us both to thinking... this is it," said her manager.

"We want to quit while we are still good friends," adds Sissel.

"But we haven't argued, either. It's about many small and big things such as choice of repertoire, where we should take risks, how we should take risks and how much we should risk, in which direction and with which collaborators," said Svare.

Breath of Fresh Air
"At one point, I felt that a resolution such as this could come as a breath of fresh air for Sissel's career, that someone could come in with completely different viewpoints. I don't exactly know who that could be, but perhaps you know?" asked Svare.

"No, I really don't. Nevertheless, I think it is important to realize that many things have appeared, which show that we ought to go each our own way. It is actually quite mature to realize that one must try out the things one wants to do," explained Sissel.

"In my case, it is about the artistic direction and strategic choices I want to take," says the singer, who will continue to explore folk music and classical music in the future.

"I will work with other artists, but I won't rule out us collaborating on another project in the future," remarks Svare.

"We have projects together planned out for two years in the future, which we can't just let go," he adds.

"We must finish what we have started together," emphasized Sissel.

"What is that?"

"There is a new compilation album which is coming out in time for Christmas with Sissel's best songs. And there is work on different projects clear into the next year," Svare disclosed.

"In which direction would you have Sissel go if you could choose here and now?"

"I am certainly more pop-oriented than Sissel," suggests Svare carefully.

"Yes, but this is all part of our little domain, our little private life, and our little private sphere," commented Sissel.