”Future plans are looking immensely promising.”
Ville Matvejeff will continue in the role of Savonlinna Opera Festival’s Artistic Director until 2027. The conductor, pianist and composer started in the position in autumn 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic marred his tenure from very early on, with opera repertoires cancelled for two consecutive summers. As a result, this July will be the first time his repertoire is showcased in Olavinlinna.
”Though the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled our operas for the past two years, artistic planning for the future has continued. These plans are looking immensely promising. We are going to witness truly spectacular summers of opera under Ville’s direction,” the festival’s Chair of the Board of Trustees Johanna Lamminen says regarding the extension of the tenure. Ville Matvejeff’s contract originally included an option to extend his term for the years 2024 and 2025. The new contract will continue for two more summers beyond that, until 2027.
In his role as Artistic Director, Ville Matvejeff has signed many leading opera names to the Savonlinna Opera Festival. These include the renowned German director Philipp Himmelmann for this summer’s new Aida as well as star soloists, such as Ludovic Tézier, Matthew Polenzani, Michelle Bradley, Miina-Liisa Värelä and Andrei Kymach.
A thank you to the audience for their support and patience
”Ville’s new contract enables us to plan in longer term, which is important for an event of this scale,” says Chair of the Board of Trustees Johanna Lamminen.
”I’m highly motivated and inspired to work for the Savonlinna Opera Festival. The pandemic put a stop to our projects and plans when they had barely started, but now it’s time to look forward to the future. This summer is our opportunity to show how we can amaze our audience in normal circumstances,” Ville Matvejeff says.
”Our audience has been understanding and waited patiently for the pandemic to end. Many of our visitors this summer have already bought their tickets in 2019. The thought that the sound of opera will again echo in Olavinlinna in the coming weeks, allowing us to share experiences in the auditorium, feels really good,” he continues.
Ville Matvejeff (b. 1986) also held the position of Chief Conductor at Jyväskylä Sinfonia until this spring, and he will still continue as the symphony orchestra’s Artistic Advisor for next year. In autumn 2022 he starts as the Principal Guest Conductor of Norrlandsoperan in Umeå, Sweden.
The Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place from 1 July to 31 July 2022. Matvejeff will conduct the summer’s new Aida at the festival. The summer 2023 repertoire will be announced by the Savonlinna Opera Festival during the month of June.
