Johan Reuter, Susan Bullock, Natalya Romaniw, Elisabet Strid, Ricarda Merbeth & Russell Thomas Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2025-26 Season

The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” will get a new production by Richard Jones and will be presented for the first time since 1996. The new Finnish translation by Mikko Koivusalo will star Tommi Hakala, Samuli Takkula, Tuija Knihtilä, Maiju Vaahtoluoto, Elli Vallinoja, Polina Liiv, Suvi Väyrynen, Emma Mustaniemi, Dan Karlström, and Roland Liiv. Antony Hermus conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}

Feb 11, 2025

Aalto Theatre in Essen & the Finnish National Opera Announces World Premiere ‘Day of Night’

The Aalto Theatre in Essen and the Finnish National Opera have announced “Day of Night” composed by Outi Tarkiainen. The new opera based on Niillas Holmberg’s Sámi novel will feature a libretto by Aleksi Barrière. In a statement composer Outi Tarkiainenspoke about his dream of creating a Sámi-themed opera for nearly a decade before finding inspiration in Niillas Holmberg’s debut {…}

Oct 28, 2024

Finnish National Opera Announces New Opera Writing Laboratory

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 {…}

Oct 4, 2024

Finnish National Opera Announces New Commision ‘The Morning Star’

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 {…}

Sep 17, 2024

Finnish National Opera Announces ‘The Culture Stage’ In Collaboration with Finavia

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 {…}

Apr 15, 2024

Finnish National Opera Conductor Charged with Drug Offense

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 {…}

Mar 29, 2024

Kristine Opolais, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Tuomas Pursio & Stefan Pop Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2024-25 Season

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 {…}

Jan 6, 2024

Opera Profile: Finnish National Opera’s ‘Covid fan tutte’

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 {…}

Dec 8, 2023

Allegations of Sexual Harassment Surface at Finnish National Opera

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 {…}

Feb 20, 2023

Finnish National Opera Sets Go Virtual with XR/VR Tech

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 {…}

Dec 16, 2022

Bregenz Festival Announces New Artistic Director & CEO

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 {…}