The Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland, one of the premier summer opera festivals in Europe, is planning an unforgettable edition for the summer of 2019, including visits from Teatro all Scala and from Volksoper Wien, in addition to regular three productions, a concert, and a voice competition.

Teatro alla Scala

The legendary company from Milan will travel with its orchestra and chorus to present the new David McVicar production of Verdi’s “I Masnadieri.” The cast includes American soprano Lisette Oropesa as Amalia, bass Michele Pertusi as Massimiliano, tenor Fabio Sartori as Carlo, and baritone Massimo Cavaletti as Francesco. Michele Mariotti will be on the podium.

Performance dates: July 15, 17 & 20, 2019

Mariotti returns for an all-star Gala Concert featuring Sonya Yoncheva, Giorgio Berrugi, Leo Nucci and Ferruccio Furlanetto, along with La Scala’s orchestra and chorus.

Performance date: July 18, 2019

Volksoper Wien

The Viennese company will present five performance of Johann Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus.” Performers will include the opera’s ensemble, orchestra and chorus, as well as the Vienna State Ballet. Music director Alfred Eschwé will conduct the performances.

Performance dates: July 30-August 3, 2019

Regular festival program

The festival will open on July 4 with a production of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Ville Rusanen in the title role. He will be accompanied by Russian tenor Alexey Tatarintsev as Count Almaviva, Italian mezzo Laura Verrecchia as Rosina, baritone Raffaele Raffio as Bartolo and bass Shavleg Armasi as Basilio. Frederic Chaslin will conduct Rossini’s masterpiece.

Performance dates: July 4-25, 2019

Slovak baritone Dalibor Jenis will star in title role of “Rigoletto” in a David McVicar production conducted by Philippe Auguin. The cast also includes Ivan Magri as the Duke, Cristina Pasaroiu as Gilda, Sami Luttinen as Sparafucile and Emanuela Pascu as Maddalena.

Performance dates: July 5-19, 2019

Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” will be performed four times under the baton of Kalle Kuusava. The cast will include Petri Lindroos, Sebastian Wirnitzer, Elena Gorshunova, Claire de Sévigné, Jussi Myllys and Jonathan Winell.

Performance dates: July 22-27, 2019

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is held annually since 1967 in the town of Savonlinna, in the south eastern region of Finland. In addition to the opera performances, this year’s festival will host the Timo Mustakallio voice competition and a concert rendition of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor.