The Finnish National Opera and Ballet is prepared for potential restrictions on mass gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic this autumn. This will result in a number of changes to the 2020–2021 season. The first opera in the autumn repertoire will be Covid fan tutte, featuring soprano Karita Mattila and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. The new libretto to the score of Mozart’s Così fan tutte will be written by Minna Lindgren.
The Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Edvard Fazer Prize has been awarded to FNB's principal dancer Linda Haakana. Haakana received the cup and accompanying cheque for EUR 10,000 during the première of ballet Carmen on Friday 21 February 2020.
The Finnish premiere of the co-production between English National Ballet and the Finnish National Ballet will take place in autumn 2021.
Tradeka and the Finnish National Opera and Ballet will continue their collaboration. Tradeka supports the live streaming of the Opera Teatime Dances during season 2018–2019.
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s international open call for concepts for an immersive, interactive art piece has now officially concluded. Out of 195 applications, 8 teams were shortlisted to take part in the Finals at the First Session Conference (30th to 31st May) in Helsinki, Finland. The winning team’s working title for the art piece is Echo, and it will be premiered by 2020.
Hannu Lintu has been appointed Chief Conductor of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Lintu will start in his new role in January 2022.
The Board of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet has decided to extend Lilli Paasikivi’s term as the Artistic Director of the National Opera by three years up to 31st July 2023.
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet have initiated their first ever public fundraising campaign. The theme of the campaign is Support future talents. In August, the newly established Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Fund will take centre stage.
The Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Edvard Fazer Prize has been awarded to danseuse étoile Eun-Ji Ha of the Finnish National Ballet. Ha received the cup and accompanying cheque for EUR 10,000 during the première of Giselle on the stage of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet on Friday 23 February 2018.