New agreements with the Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association

TONO signed a new agreement this summer with the Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association (NTO) that regulates the performance of music in theatre productions. The agreement does not cover large rights, typically opera, operetta, musical and ballet. The agreement is valid from 1 June. An agreement has also been entered into between NTO and the Norwegian Composers' Association and NOPA on the regulation of the rates for commissioning theatre music.

  / 05/09/2018 /
TONO signed a new agreement this summer with the Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association (NTO) that regulates the performance of music in theatre productions. The agreement does not include large rights, typically opera, operetta, musical and ballet. The agreement is valid from June 1. An agreement has also been entered into between NTO and the Norwegian Composers' Association and NOPA on regulating the rates for commissioning theatre music.
Negotiation Director at TONO, Geir Gaarder (Photo: Caroline Roka)

TONO's agreement with NTO regulates the performance and sound recording of musical works that TONO manages, and means that rates have been adjusted up to the 2018 level. The rates will also be adjusted for 2019 and 2020. From 1 January 2020, a provision that 50 percent of the commission fee shall be considered an advance on TONO remuneration will also be repealed. This means that composers will receive TONO remuneration from the first performance, and not only after the remuneration has exceeded 50 percent of the commission fee.

– We have been through a long and constructive negotiation process with the Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association, and are satisfied with the agreement we have reached. Not least considering that the new agreement involves a clearer and more orderly distinction between commission fees and performance fees for TONO, says Geir Gaarder, Director of Negotiations at TONO.

New agreement for commissioned works for theaters

In parallel with the agreement between NTO and TONO, a new agreement regarding commission fees between NTO and the Norwegian Composers' Association and NOPAThis agreement regulates the rates for commission fees for the composition of new music for theatrical performances.

The agreement means that the fees for bookings will increase, while the aforementioned TONO agreement also means that booking fees and TONO fees will be completely separated from January 1, 2020. This agreement is also valid from June 1, 2018, and will last until December 21, 2021.


For further information:
Geir Gaarder, Negotiation Director at TONO. Mob. 909 46,976, e-mail: geir.gaarder@tono.no
Willy Martinsen, communications manager at TONO, mobile: 909 65 254, email: willy.martinsen@tono.no

Related info:
Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association website
Norwegian Composers' Association website
NOPA's website

Image above: istock.com/peych_p