Babylonian king Nabucco invades and robs the Jewish population, subjecting them to slavery and forced labour. Power intoxicates and deludes him. It makes the king play god. Meanwhile, the bitter Abigaille, one of the strongest female roles in the operatic repertoire, awaits her own moment of revenge and plots against the young lovers Ismaele and Fenena.

Nabucco

Olavinlinna

When young geisha Cio-Cio-San marries the handsome American army lieutenant Pinkerton, she feels herself the luckiest girl alive. She has it all: love, marriage and a beautiful house on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. For Pinkerton she joins church, angering her family, who abandons her. Madama Butterfly, as Pinkerton lovingly calls her, does it all for love. Pinkerton on the other hand, sees her only as a beautiful distraction before he gets married to an American woman: Like the houses in Japan, also marriage is for rent. He leaves her behind and she never loses hope, that he returns. When Pinkerton finally returns, he doesn’t come alone: His wife Kate is with him to pick up the little boy, that Cio-Cio-San has born. Cio-Cio-San’s world lies in shambles.

Madama Butterfly

Susanna and Figaro want to get married. They are very much in love, have good jobs at the count’s court and are just moving in their first apartment together. Live is good. If it wasn’t for the conniving count himself, who is in love with Susanna and wants to instill his right to the wedding night again. Together with the countess and the help of teenage page Cherubino, Susanna and Figaro plot against the count.

Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir

8 - 24 Jul, 2026

Nabucco

4 - 23 Jul, 2026

Madama Butterfly

Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir