The music must describe the beautiful yet merciless sea and ice, and how small and powerless we are against their might. These were composer, conductor and violinist Jaakko Kuusisto’s first thoughts when starting to work on his new Finnish opera, Ice. It is based on Ulla-Lena Lundberg’s bestselling novel. Read more!
opera
Director Christof Loy's thoughts about the opera.
"Anyone coming in for make-up just sits in the first available chair, so I never know what character I will be creating next." Make-up Artist Daniela Echkart tells about her job at the FNOB.
Finally! Verdi’s cherished opera classic, Il trovatore, is back in the repertoire of the Finnish National Opera. It’s been a long wait, as Il trovatore hasn’t been seen on the National Opera stage since 2003. Thanks to its thrilling rhythms and catchy melodies, Il trovatore is one of the world’s most popular operas. It’s an ideal choice for the first-time opera visitor, as its medley of fabulous arias will showcase the best of the genre in one spectacular session.
As a director, Yoshi Oïda is known for his fusion of Asian heritage and modern European theatre.
Do you know how many instruments a percussionist plays in the Orchestra of the FNO? While most musicians are dedicated to one, a percussionist’s repertoire might involve a whopping twenty different instruments, depending on the composition.
In 1847, Marie Duplessis died in Paris at only 23 years of age. The beautiful courtesan was immortalised as the protagonist of the opera La Traviata. Read more!
Music Librarians are involved in practically every performance that has live music. Read what it is like behind the scenes at the art factory.
Höstsonaten - Autumn Sonata is a new Finnish opera based on the film script of Ingmar Bergman. The main theme in the Autumn Sonata is the complex relationship between a mother and a daughter. ”In the end the daughter gives birth to her mother” – that’s how Ingmar Bergman envisioned the cathartic final resolution between concert pianist Charlotte Andergast and her daughter Eva. "My dear Ingmar, it has after all gone down in history as one of your best, it’s a real classic! Anyone who’s ever been moved by Autumn Sonata will remember it forever – and there are so many of us!" writes the librettist Gunilla Hemming.