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.

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

The Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025 is an exceptional celebration of music, history, and artistic expression. Taking place at the iconic Olavinlinna Castle, this year's festival marks a pivotal moment with the castle's 550th anniversary at its heart. Featuring captivating performances such as Verdi's Macbeth and Puccini’s Turandot, and highlighting new talents in the Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition, this festival promises an unforgettable cultural experience for all attendees.

Celebrating Culture and History: Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025

As the Savonlinna Opera Festival prepares for a monumental celebration, the historic Olavinlinna Castle becomes the epicenter of an extraordinary artistic journey. This year marks the 550th anniversary of the castle, bringing a vibrant lineup of operatic performances, competitions, and cultural collaborations. With events ranging from Verdi’s intense Macbeth to the soul-stirring compositions of Puccini and Mussorgsky, and even featuring a unique singing competition, this festival promises to be an unforgettable tribute to both history and art.

Celebrating 550 Years of Olavinlinna: Opera, History, and Cultural Splendor

This summer, the Savonlinna Opera Festival transforms the historic Olavinlinna Castle into a vibrant cultural hub. From the castle’s 550th anniversary concert to riveting performances of ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Turandot’, the festival promises a blend of classic operas, innovative interpretations, and emerging talents. Each event, set against the stunning backdrop of Finland’s northernmost medieval castle, offers a unique exploration of music, history, and emotion, making this festival an unmissable celebration of artistic excellence.

Celebrating Artistry: The 2025 Savonlinna Opera Festival

The Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025 promises a summer brimming with operatic grandeur set against the backdrop of the historic Olavinlinna Castle. Celebrating a monumental 550-year milestone, the festival features an array of performances that highlight both classic and contemporary works. From the destructive allure of Verdi's Macbeth to the ethereal beauty of Puccini's Turandot, and the soul-stirring compositions of Boris Godunov, this year's program is a celebration of vocal artistry and dramatic storytelling. Join us as we explore the highlights of this magnificent festival and the artists who bring these stories to life.

A Summer of Opera Splendor: A Dive into Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025

Aida

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.

550 Years of Olavinlinna

Olavinlinna

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.

Macbeth

‘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.

Turandot

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.

Boris Godunov

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.

Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition

Savonlinna Hall

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?

The Last Temptations

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.

The Fairy Queen

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.

Savonlinna Opera Festival

Jul 3, 2025

550 Years of Olavinlinna

4 - 15 Jul, 2025

Macbeth

5 - 25 Jul, 2025

Turandot

11 - 24 Jul, 2025

Boris Godunov

Jul 13, 2025

Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition

1 - 23 Jul, 2022

Aida

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Savonlinna Opera Festival