Statoil will remain the principal sponsor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra until 2002 under an agreement signed today.
Due to run from 1 January 1999, the new contract extends a collaboration which began in 1990 and commits the group to provide a basic annual grant of NOK 1.5 million. The existing agreement, which involves a NOK 1 million annual payment, expires at the end of 1998.
"Emphasis is given in the agreement to internationalisation," reports senior vice president John Ove Lindøe in the public affairs department.
"The increase in our annual grant allows us to collaborate with the orchestra on one foreign tour per year."
He explains that Statoil wants to be associated with concerts being given by the musicians in locations where the group has interests.
The orchestra, which is currently in full swing with plans for its touring programme in coming years, will begin a tour of Ireland next week.
Statoil is sponsoring this event, which includes performances in Galway, Limerick and Dublin. The tour coincides with the official opening of the group's new offices in the Irish capital.