4. Our fantastic soloists
Silja Aalto makes her debut as Cio-Cio-San. Of course, she is no stranger to Savonlinna: she already shone brightly last summer as Rita in The Last Temptations as well as in past summers in Carmen and the Magic Flute. At her side is the Italian-American tenor Antony Ciaramitaro, who caused a sensation in the summer of 2024 with his compelling interpretation of Ismaele in Nabucco. As Sharpless, we are delighted to welcome back Tommi Hakala, who can truly be counted among the cornerstones of the Savonlinna Opera Festival. At the podium is conductor Piergiorgio Morandi, a world-wide renowned Puccini -specialist, leading the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra.
5. Because sometimes a flop can still become a hit
Even though it is hard to believe today, Madama Butterfly, an opera that is now a fixture of the repertoire and one of the most frequently performed worldwide beloved by connoisseurs and newcomers alike, was not at all well received at its premiere. Reports speak of loud booing and a rude, even malicious audience. Puccini was deeply affected, but he took the criticism to heart while maintaining his conviction that this was his finest work to date. He revised the opera several times until later performances finally brought it the success it deserved. Musically, the work stands at the beginning of Puccini’s final creative phase. For the first time, he engaged with a non-European subject, discovering new modes of expression, new harmonies and melodies, and opening up entirely new artistic worlds.
Madama Butterfly at Olavinlinna Castle on 4., 7., 10., 15., 18. & 23.7. at 7pm.
