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A Cultural Odyssey: Celebrating 550 Years of Olavinlinna with the Savonlinna Opera Festival

This summer, Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna, Finland, stands as a beacon of history and culture as it marks its 550th anniversary. The Savonlinna Opera Festival commemorates this milestone with a rich tapestry of opera performances, concerts, and competitions, transforming the medieval fortress into a vibrant stage for artistic expression. From Verdi’s haunting Macbeth to Puccini’s magnificent Turandot, and the powerful sounds of Boris Godunov, this festival promises a cultural odyssey, celebrating the timeless allure of opera amidst the historic splendor of Olavinlinna.

Nov 29, 2024

1. 550 Years of Olavinlinna

At Olavinlinna’s anniversary concert, the summer evening is filled with gratitude and vitality. The world’s northernmost medieval castle has been a stage for history and culture in war and peace. The 550 years that have passed in the border region have transformed the castle into a treasure. It is time for a great celebration.

Jul 3, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

2. Macbeth

How destructive can a relationship become? What kind of dark chemistry makes a couple into a monster that neither of them would be on their own? Danger rings out in Verdi’s legendary classic. King Macbeth and his wife covet power and have blood on their hands.

4 - 15 Jul, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

3. Turandot

‘Now is the time to go to Savonlinna if you are interested in world-class vocal art. The tenor Amadi Lagha plays the role of Calaf in Puccini’s Turandot in a way that is rarely heard, at least on Finnish opera stages’, wrote the reviewer from Helsingin Sanomat in 2018, and now this magnificence is coming back again. Princess Turandot is Ewa Płonka, a musician who has been transformed almost overnight from a concert pianist into an opera singer, and who is now in demand at the world’s foremost opera houses.

5 - 25 Jul, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

4. Boris Godunov

An autocrat in Russia, using every means at his disposal. Politics, manipulation – and fear, loneliness. Boris Godunov is one of the most powerful classics in the history of opera, and is particularly impressive at Olavinlinna. It features the deep sound of low male voices, and its grand choral scenes are masterful.

11 - 24 Jul, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

5. Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition

The 33rd Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition highlights talents of the future. The winner is not necessarily the most highly developed participant, but a singer with exceptional vocal talent and special interpretative skills.

Jul 13, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Savonlinna Hall

6. The Last Temptations

The opera The Last Temptations (1975) by Joonas Kokkonen (1921–96) is one of the most successful and popular Finnish operas of all time. 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of its premiere. What better time to celebrate this landmark work than during the anniversary year of Olavinlinna Castle?

22 - 30 Jul, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

7. The Fairy Queen

Guest artists in summer 2025 are Festival Perelada from the Catalan countryside. Perelada is one of the most interesting cultural events in southern Europe. Concerts and opera performances take place in the medieval town’s castle, park, church and monastery.

Jul 29 - Aug 2, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

8. Il diluvio universale

Vibrant baroque music sounds especially good in the acoustics of Olavinlinna. We experience delicacy and richness at the same time, a bit like the fluffy wigs of the courtiers, or like macarons.

Aug 1, 2025

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna · Olavinlinna

Conclusion

The 550th anniversary of Olavinlinna, celebrated through the Savonlinna Opera Festival, is a tribute to the enduring power of music and culture. From the haunting tales of Macbeth and Boris Godunov to the vocal brilliance showcased in Turandot, the festival offers a rich tapestry of musical experiences. As the melodies of 'Il diluvio universale' echo through the castle walls, the festival reaffirms Olavinlinna’s place as a timeless stage for artistic expression, captivating audiences with its historic charm and cultural significance.

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