In what could be described as a new wave of young Norwegian tango musicians, violinist Karl Espegard and bandoneonist Åsbjørg Ryeng are at the forefront.

Together, they founded the critically acclaimed ensemble El Muro Tango in 2016, and have since toured across Europe, collaborating with some of Argentina’s most renowned tango singers – including Omar Mollo, Juan Villarreal, and Chino Laborde. With their virtuosic and emotionally charged performances, the duo captures the hearts of audiences and transports listeners to the smoky backstreets and hidden bars of Buenos Aires.

Karl Espegard is a Norwegian violinist with an international career, praised for his passionate playing and genre-defying musicality. He has performed at renowned venues such as the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Konzerthaus München, and has toured widely across Europe and South America. His collaborations include celebrated artists such as Ylvis (What Does the Fox Say?), Alexander Rybak, Herborg Kråkevik, and Mathias Eick. With his tango project El Muro Tango, he was nominated for the 2024 Argentine Grammy Awards for the album Manifiesto.

Åsbjørg Ryeng is emerging as a pre-eminent Nordic exponent of the bandoneon, performing around the world with a repertoire spanning from classical and contemporary music to popular and folk music. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic, and the Trondheim Soloists. Specializing in Argentine Tango, Åsbjørg has collaborated and recorded with groups including El Muro Tango, Tangueros del Norte, and Los Osos Polares. She has studied with some of the legends of the bandoneon world, including Juan José Mosalini, Julio Pane, Pablo Mainetti, and Victor Lavallen.