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The Sugar Factory – New Opera Works

about
Selection of participants
Who can apply
KEY DATES
HOW TO APPLY
Contact details

The Finnish National Opera, with generous support from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, is launching The Sugar Factory – New Opera Works. This programme is designed to nurture the collaborative development and presentation of new opera, connecting the art form to our time and place.

New operas as collaborations

The Sugar Factory wishes to bring together creative minds to explore what contemporary opera can be today, and to open opera to a diverse range of artistic voices. We invite composers, writers, directors, designers, and other creative artists to collaborate in teams to create new short operas.

This is an opportunity to work alongside professional singers, instrumentalists, and theatre practitioners to experiment, innovate, and bring fresh ideas to opera. The period will culminate in performances of 10–20-minute chamber works by artist from the Finnish National Opera ensemble.

Each year, twelve artists will be selected through an Expression of Interest process. No prior experience in opera is required. 

Applications for the first round will open in March 2025.

Selection of participants

The participants will be selected by a panel appointed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Opera. Applicants are invited to apply as individuals rather than as teams.

The selected artists will form creative teams of three—a composer, a writer, and a director or dramaturg—to develop a new short opera. No prior experience in writing opera is required although the selection panel will assess applicants based on their demonstrated skills in their respective fields. Participants are expected to work independently and in teams outside the programme dates to develop their pieces for presentation.

The process will be guided by internationally experienced professionals in new opera production, alongside the singers, technical staff, and administrative teams of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.

Creative process and mentoring

The Sugar Factory aims to produce four new operas annually, but its core focus is on the creative process and mentorship of the participants.

The programme will invite experts in the field of developing and creating new work to support, challenge and mentor participants throughout their creative journey.

Diversity and inclusion are central to The Sugar Factory. They help bring new voices and perspectives into opera.

Audiences will experience groundbreaking and surprising new works at the Almi Hall of the Finnish National Opera. The program launches in autumn 2025, with the first performances in autumn 2026.

More information:

Tinja Salmi, project manager
050 438 3585, tinja.salmi@opera.fi

“This represents an acknowledgement of opera’s history as an art form that puts the development of new work at the heart of its social and cultural relevance.

In all cases, the guiding principle was that opera was written in company: composers and librettists knew the theatrical context in which their work would be performed, and the artists for whom they were writing, and all parties took an active part in developing and refining the material.”

–THOMAS DE MALLET BURGESS, the artistic director of the finnish national opera

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from artists working in the following areas: 

Important: 

The working language will be English, but you can apply in any language. 

You don’t need prior experience in opera – just  a vision, courage, passion, and a desire to collaborate. 

We are committed to investing in artists; therefore, all selected participants will receive a fee for their involvement.

whAT IS THIS ABOUT?

If selected, you’ll join a team of three, and together you will: 

This programme is about creating: 

kEY DATES

If you are selected to the programme you must be available for the following: 

How to Apply 

Please submit the following by Sunday 20 April 2025 at 15:00 to thesugarfactory@opera.fi

  1. Expression of Interest letter & CV 
  1. Portfolio (depending on your role)

Composers: Links to two recordings of compositions. At least one of them should include voice.  

Writers: Samples of scripts, poems, or creative concepts. 

Directors/Dramaturgs: Concepts, outlines, or examples of past work (can include links to video excerpts). 

Other artists: Examples of relevant work that show your potential for creative contribution. 

  1. Availability confirmation 

Please confirm you are available for the interview dates and all key programme dates listed above. 

Why apply?

This is your chance to: 

Questions? 

Please contact tinja.salmi@opera.fi 
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