Lárus Loftsson celebrates 80th birthday with choir party

Chef Lárus Loftsson marked his 80th birthday with a large celebration for about 150 guests, including members of the Fóstbræður men’s choir and their partners. The party took place at the choir’s home on Friday, mbl.is reports.

The evening featured dinner and music from performers including the Fóstbræður band, rock singer Garðar Guðmundsson and Fósturvísarnir, a singing group made up in part of former members of the group 14 Fóstbræður. Opera singer Auður Gunnarsdóttir also performed; her husband sings in the choir.

Loftsson, who turned 80 on October 9, organised the celebration through Hrútafélagið, an association within Fóstbræður that has been active since 1982. Its members include choir singers who travel without their partners, as well as those who do not have partners. When the choir travels abroad, members of the association look out for one another.

Loftsson has been the association’s president for more than 20 years. He said he has organised parties for its members, sometimes around his birthday, and that the music reflects what he grew up listening to. The programme focused on singing, fun and food rather than the revues that used to be part of the celebrations.

As a chef, Loftsson arranged for former colleagues from the Chefs’ Club’s “House of Lords” section to prepare the meal. Fóstbræður members paid a modest fee that covered everything, while Loftsson funded much of the programme himself.

Loftsson joked that the president has full authority in Hrútafélagið and is not keen on democratic procedures. The president has one assistant, a fifth vice-president, he said.

Loftsson joined Fóstbræður 30 years ago. As members grow older, they can continue singing in Gamlir Fóstbræður, a separate choir. Loftsson said he is now old enough to move over to it.