The Finnish National Opera has announced it is launching a new opera writing laboratory. The new writing program will be supported with €1.2m from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. This new initiative was proposed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess, Artistic Director at Finnish National Opera, and is designed to explore the challenges and opportunities in the writing and development of new {…}
The Finnish National Opera has announced a new commission “Morgonstjärnan – The Morning Star.” The new work set to premiere on Jan. 30, 2026, will be composed by Sebastian Fagerlund and written by Gunilla Hemming. The work will be adapted from Karl Ove Knausgård’s acclaimed novel and will be the first opera based on Knausgård’s work. In a statement, Fagerlund {…}
On Sept. 17, Helsinki Airport passengers will able to experience opera and ballet in a collaboration between Finavia and Finnish National Opera and Ballet. The two companies will open a visual and audio installation at the airport, where snippets of opera and ballet performed at the Opera House in Töölönlahti, Helsinki, will be projected on one of the walls of {…}
The Finnish National Opera’s Chief Conductor Hannu Lintu has been charged with a drug offense. The national broadcaster YLE reported that the offense was committed in Vantaa on November 7, 2023 and that a court date has yet to be announced. In a statement, the conductor said the case was about ordering sleeping pills by mail. He said, “I have {…}
The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Leevi Madetoja’s “The Ostrobothnians”, which is known as Finland’s “national opera” will be directed by director Paavo Westerberg. The cast will include Jukka Rasilainen, Ville Rusanen, Jussi Vänttinen, Johanna Lehesvuori, Maria Turunen, Iida Antola, Päivi Nisula, Tuomas Pursio, Aarne Pelkonen, Ilkka Hämäläinen and Mika Pohjonen. The Orchestra of the Finnish National {…}
Photo Credit: Stefan Bremer/Finnish National Opera “Covid fan tutte“ is a reconceptualization of Mozart’s comic opera organized by the Finnish National Opera in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The story is a farcical reimagining of “Così fan tutte,” focusing on the impact of COVID-19 and the ability of opera singers to perform. Most of the opera takes a satirical look {…}
Several allegations of sexual harassment at the Finnish National Opera have surfaced. In a recent publication by Long Play, more than 10 women were interviewed and described dozens of instances of harassment at the theater. According to the article some of the harassment included groping, sending text messages with sexual content, and commenting on body parts. General Director Gita Kadambi was {…}
Image: Finnish National Opera The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB), in collaboration with XR/VR technology leader Varjo, made history as the first opera house to use immersive technology throughout the entire production process. FNOB used Varjo Aero virtual reality headsets and the “XR Stage” tool to create the entire set for Puccini’s “Turandot,” from the proof-of-concept phase to the {…}
Lilli Paasikivi has been appointed to the position of Artistic Director and CEO of the Bregenz Festival. Paasikivi, who is currently the Artistic Director of the Finnish National Opera, will take up her new post starting on Oct. 1, 2024. Paasikivi has held the position at the Finnish National Opera since 2013, where she was key to creating such initiatives {…}
The Finnish National Opera has appointed Thomas de Mallet Burgess as its Artistic Director. He is set to commence his tenure on August 1, 2023, and is contracted for four years through the end of the 2026 -27 season. The contract comes with an optional three-year extension. Among his first assignments will be to plan repertory for the 2025-26 season. {…}
The Board of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet Foundation has announced it is recommending Thomas de Mallet Burgess as the next Artistic Director for the company. “As an Artistic Director, Thomas brings a combination of experience and creativity that would boldly develop the future of opera at the Finnish National Opera,” said General Director Gita Kadambi. English opera director {…}