About us – introducing the Finnish National Opera and Ballet

We offer opera and ballet performances and other events to people of all ages. Thanks to visiting performances, school operas, recordings and live broadcasts as well as television and radio broadcasts, the experiences we create can be enjoyed everywhere in Finland and around the world.

In terms of personnel, we are a mid-sized opera and ballet company. We have approximately 550 people on our monthly payroll from 32 countries. This includes 53 opera singers in soloist and choral roles, 74 dancers (additional 14 dancers in the Youth Company), and 111 orchestra musicians. Besides this, a considerable number of Finnish and foreign guest performers contributes to our performances. What’s more, the Opera House is home to a wide variety of highly skilled artisan professionals from cobblers to metal workers.

Each year, we usually have four opera premieres and three ballet premieres in our repertoire. These are complemented by returning productions, so our seasonal repertoire is different every week and can comprise dozens of different productions. In addition to classics, we also perform contemporary opera and dance productions with a specific focus on Finnish works.

As Finland’s first and only professional opera company, the Finnish National Opera was established in 1911, followed by the Finnish National Ballet in 1922. Performances took place in the compact Alexander Theatre for a long time, until the current Opera House provided an up to date venue in 1993.