The Finnish National Opera and Ballet invites you on a mesmerizing journey through a series of captivating events, each offering a unique glimpse into the world of opera, ballet, and orchestral music. From the enchanting retelling of Cinderella to the lively Opera Teatime Dance, this season promises to be an unforgettable celebration of artistic excellence. Join us as we explore the magic of these performances and workshops that inspire creativity and connection, featuring talents from both seasoned professionals and young aspirants alike.

Unveiling Finland's Cultural Splendor: A Journey Through Opera, Ballet, and Symphonic Delights

Experience a vibrant array of performances as the Finnish National Opera and Ballet unveils its captivating 2024-2025 season. From beloved classics such as Sleeping Beauty and Don Carlos, to contemporary pieces like Blushing, the season promises to enthrall audiences with its diverse offerings. Highlights include immersive workshops for children, live-streamed dances, and the much-anticipated return of The Merry Widow. With a blend of traditional and modern artistic expressions, this season is set to showcase the full spectrum of opera and ballet artistry.

A Kaleidoscope of Opera and Ballet: Finnish National Opera's 2024-2025 Season

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet is set to captivate audiences with an extraordinary lineup in the 2024-25 season. From the hands-on excitement of the 'Opera & Ballet in Action' workshops for young children to the grandeur of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlos,' there is something for everyone. Additionally, the season features the debut of a unique concert series by the Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera, along with the return of classics like 'The Merry Widow.' With a mix of live and virtual events, including free streamings of the beloved 'Opera Teatime Dance,' this season promises to be a cultural highlight in Helsinki.

A Journey Through the Finnish National Opera and Ballet's 2024-25 Season

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet is hosting an array of engaging events this season, blending the timeless charm of opera, the lively rhythm of dance, and thought-provoking performances. From the heartwarming 'Opera Teatime Dance' to the high-energy 'T(r)anssi,' and the creative storytelling of 'Animal Farm,' this cultural hub promises unforgettable experiences. The 'Spring Gala 2025' by The Ballet School adds a youthful touch to the lineup, presenting classical and contemporary dance pieces. These events, filled with creativity and emotion, invite everyone to enjoy art like never before.

Dance, Drama, and Diversity: A Cultural Celebration at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet

T(r)anssi is an evening that showcases the works of four of the most influential choreographers of our times: William Forsythe, Sharon Eyal, and the team of Paul Lightfoot and Sol León. It captivates the audience with its unique blend of movement, emotion, and mental energy. Seeing these works is more than just a visual experience. It’s an immersion into a trance-like state, which may provoke reflection on themes of gender, community, and collectivism.

T(r)anssi

Finnish National Opera and Ballet

This impactful opera is an experience unlike anything seen before at the Finnish National Opera. In an uprising on a farm, a group of animals overthrow their farmer’s tyrannical reign. Little by little, their new society begins to mirror human civilisation, and their original principles of equality are cast aside.

Animal Farm

Édith Piaf’s (1915–1963) extraordinary life has left a lasting musical legacy that continues to be cherished decades later. Life is not something that happened to Piaf, it’s something that she made. She embraced life to the full, from the greatest raptures to the deepest sorrows. Despite her fame and fortune, she always lived on her own terms, choosing her company regardless of societal norms and expectations.

Édith Piaf – La vie en rose

The young dancers’ evening of the Finnish National Ballet offers a captivating mix of the classic and contemporary. The highlight of the evening is the premiere of German choreographer Marco Goecke’s Blushing, the winner of the 2003 Prix Dom Pérignon, which was originally created for the Stuttgart Ballet. The Finnish National Ballet has also previously performed Goecke’s compelling choreography, Lonesome George.

Blushing

As the curtain rises, it feels as if you’re stepping into a grand, splendid celebration. Franz Lehár’s (1870–1948) effervescent operetta The Merry Widow offers a taste of genuine old world glamour, aristocratic reverie, catchy melodies, and can-can.

This operetta, a playful take on the relationship entanglements of a wealthy young widow, has been presented at the Finnish National Opera a record-breaking 313 times. In spring 2025, it will be performed in Finnish, with soprano Mari Palo shining in the title role.

The Merry Widow

Political scheming, a harrowing love triangle, and magnificent music. In Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, Don Carlos, Elisabeth is married to King Philip of Spain, but her heart belongs to his son, Don Carlos. Yet, the political machinations of the state prove more powerful than their profound emotions.

Don Carlos

Sleeping Beauty is one of the most beloved ballets of all time. The familiar story about the bewitched princess Aurora, the good and evil fairies, and the adventurous prince truly comes into its own as a ballet. The choreography created by the Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet, Javier Torres, has been performed to full houses for over 15 years.

Sleeping Beauty

Experience moments from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most beloved musicals on the Main Stage of the Finnish National Opera. This one-of-a-kind experience is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. The concert will feature Nick Davies as conductor, known for conducting our Phantom of the Opera performances.

Symphonic Suites

The hard work of the autumn season at the Ballet School of the Finnish National Ballet will culminate in a spectacular finale in December with the school’s own interpretation of Sleeping Beauty.

Tchaikovsky’s marvellous music and the universally loved story have made Sleeping Beauty one of the world’s most popular ballets. The Ballet School’s Jani Talo and Ophélie Rodighiero have collaborated with the teachers to condense the ballet into two acts.

The Ballet School presents: Sleeping Beauty

The miserly and cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge cares little for Christmas or his fellow beings. During the night, the spirits of Christmas take him on a journey through the past, present, and future. Will Scrooge come to understand the true meaning of Christmas?

A Christmas Carol

Finland, the world’s happiest country, has also been dubbed the land of thousands of sad songs: violence, alcoholism and inequality lurk in the shadows of the Nordic welfare society.

Leevi Madetoja’s (1887–1947) The Ostrobothnians (”Pohjalaisia”) is often called Finland’s national opera, and rightly so. It’s a story about persistence, human rights, and freedom. Pohjalaisia was first performed in 1924. A century later, it reminds us of the timeless nature of stories that stir the human soul. The melodic music of the opera appeals to the emotions with its wistful undertones.

The Ostrobothnians

Isfåglarna is the most recent opera composed by Olli Kortekangas. The libretto, written by Johan Bargum, is based on Ovidius’ Metamorphoses and its myth of the demigod Alkyone and king Keyx, their love and trials. The story brings together humans and gods, fairytales and everyday life, comedy and tragedy.

Isfåglarna

Our atmospheric Saturday afternoon matinees will echo with favourite melodies performed by members of the Chorus or the Orchestra of the National Opera.

Music in the foyer

This free and relaxed afternoon dance event is an opportunity to whirl and twirl to evergreens. The hugely popular dance sessions will be live streamed at the Stage24 service of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, too.

Opera Teatime Dance

The streaming webcast ot the Opera Teatime Dance may be received free of charge at any nursing home or sheltered accommodation facility throughout Finland. We wish to encourage social dancing and thereby contribute to residents’ wellbeing.

In autumn 2024, The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera (FNO) will enchant audiences at Musiikkitalo with the launch of a new, unique concert series. Concertgoers will be treated to gems of orchestral music and vocal performances by leading names from around the world. The programme reflects the full variety of life and human emotions.

Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera @ Musiikkitalo

Thomas Mann’s (1875–1955) famous short story about the author Aschenbach and his fascination with the young Tadzio, set in Venice plagued by cholera, garnered much attention as it was published in 1912. John Neumeier’s work portrays the author as a choreographer dedicated to his art. In Venice, he unravels both a hidden side of himself as well as pure love within. The ballet, which had its world premiere in Hamburg Ballet in 2003, features music by Bach and Wagner, played both live on piano on stage and from recordings.

Death in Venice

In Opera & Ballet in Action workshops, 5 to 6 years olds can experience the fascinating world of opera and ballet. Participants learn about a selected Main Stage production through hands-on activities, such as arts and crafts, making music, dancing, and drama. In addition to learning about different art forms, the children get to make a nice souvenir to take home (excluding costume and set workshops). The workshops last approximately 1.5 hours and are held in Finnish.

Opera & Ballet in Action

The evening will feature three contemporary dance works, crafted by Finland’s leading choreographers. In addition to world premieres of Hanna Brotherus and Johanna Nuutinen’s pieces, Kenneth Kvarnström will showcase a revised version of his beloved Carmen?!.

It’s time

Cinderella’s sisters go to a ball where they hope to court the favour of the Prince, leaving Cinderella at home to clean the house. Her stepmother has hopes of bringing the Prince home for an after-party. Fortunately, a magic flute conjures up a spectacular gown for Cinderella to wear, and the people at the ball are dazzled by the mysterious beauty dancing in glass slippers.

Mini opera Cinderella

Earthrise tells of a world losing its mind. In the year 1624 (or 2024) while political and religious forces fight for influence, scientific research unravels crucial data that calls into question our way of thinking about our place in the universe – and we react with nothing but confusion and embarrassment.

Earthrise

Based on a play by Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), Salome is one of the most intense and powerful operas ever created. Sensational in its time, Salome was received with both wonder and shock, thanks to its theme combining religion and eroticism and its groundbreaking musical language.

Salome

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream everything is possible – and enchanting. William Shakespeare’s comedy about love weaves a whirlwind of fairies’ and humans’ romantic adventures and shifting affections.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Phantom of the Opera, one of the all-time favourites at the Finnish National Opera, has had over a hundred sold-out performances in Finland. Globally, it’s estimated that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (1986) has been seen by over 140 million people, making it the world’s most popular musical.

The Phantom of the Opera

The spring gala in May at Almi Hall culminates the academic year’s hard work for the pupils and vocational students of the Ballet School. The repertoire includes both classical ballet and contemporary dance.

Students of vocational education will perform Riku Lehtopolku’s new contemporary dance choreography and excerpts from the ballet Paquita. Pupils of classes B7–B9 will present Anu Sistonen’s new neoclassical choreography, and the program for classes B3–B6 includes new choreography by the classes’ own teachers on the theme of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Apr 11 - May 15, 2025

T(r)anssi

Nov 6, 2024 - May 14, 2025

Opera Teatime Dance

Nov 6, 2024 - May 14, 2025

Opera Teatime Dance

22 - 26 May, 2025

The Ballet School Presents: Spring Gala 2025

Apr 11 - May 15, 2025

T(r)anssi

Mar 28 - May 6, 2025

Animal Farm

Articles & News

Finnish National Opera and Ballet