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 {…}
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has announced a tour of Finland in May 2023. The company said that the Opera House will be refurbished and renovated from May to August 2023 and as a result, the organization will travel to five cities including Rovaniemi, Oulu, Joensuu, Turku, and Helsinki. The renovation will focus on revamping the stage technology management solution. {…}
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s XR Stage Project has received the international FEDORA Next Stage Grant. The grant was launched in 2021 by FEDORA and Opera Europa to trigger change and recovery in the opera and dance sector. The grant provides financial support and skills development to boost innovation through sustainability, inclusivity, and digital transformation. It also gives financial support {…}
The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2022-23 Season featuring new productions and classic opera. Here is a look at the opera productions for the season. “Between” features music by Kaija Saariaho, Matias Vestergård, and Sebastian Hilli. Clément Mao-Takacs conducts a cast that includes Thomas Kellner, Tuuli Lindeberg, and Peter Herresthal. Performance Dates: August 31-Sept. 3, 2022 “CircOpera 2.0″ will {…}
The Finnish National Opera has canceled its Sept. 9 performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci.” The company announced that due to a technical failure the performance would be able to go on. The company noted that as result, it will be contacting customers who have purchased tickets and give them the option of refunding or obtaining a credit for another {…}
The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2021-22 season featuring new productions and several workshops, concerts, and musicals. The season will also mark the first season of Chief Conductor, Hannu Lintu. Here is a breakdown of the season: Opera & Musicals Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci“ and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana“ open the season with Hannu Lintu conducting. Mascagni’s opera stars Niina Keitel, Johanna Lehesvuori, {…}
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has announced that performances will be suspended until Feb. 28, 2021. In a statement, the company announced that “due to new regulations issued by the authorities, we are obliged to extend the suspension of performances until February 28. This means that the performances of ‘Die Walküre’ in February must be canceled. The premiere scheduled {…}
(Credit: Palau de la Música Catalana official website) Famed Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen has received an Honorary Knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for services to music and to relations between the United Kingdom and Finland. “This is a true personal honor, but more than that, it is meaningful to have artists honored at a national – at a {…}