Finnish National Opera’s The Sugar Factory – New Opera Works has announced the selection of 12 artists from 300 applicants.

The program, which the Finnish Cultural Foundation funds, selected its artists through an open call. The premieres of the works created through this collaboration will take place at the Finnish National Opera’s Almi Hall in autumn 2026.

According to a press release by the Finnish National Opera, the selected artists share a strong interest in socially engaged themes that reflect current societal issues and structural injustices.

The artists selected for the 2025–2026 program include writer Carmen Baltzar, director Bálint Barcsai, composer Sid Hille, composer Miika Hyytiäinen, composer Eeva Kontu, director Anna-Maria Lipponen, director Sara Melleri, writer Ilmari Nera, writer Susi Siriya Orenius, director Pelzi Piia Peltola, writer Jenna Viro and composer Stephen Webb.

The New Opera Stage is a concept developed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Opera. In a statement, he said, “The response to our open call has been really affirming. The way applicants engaged with the idea of a developmental programme connecting opera to our time and place reinforces the interest by artists from different backgrounds at the opportunity opera presents. In the end the panel reviewing the applications found it challenging to select the final invited group and wish to underline that applicants not successful this time around are welcome to apply again. As ever huge thanks to the Finnish Cultural Foundation for supporting this initiative.”

The Sugar Factory is a three-year project, with the next open call scheduled for spring 2026.

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