Category: News

Italian passion and grand emotions at Olavinlinna – program 2026

Boris Godunov brings great drama and political thrill to the Savonlinna Opera Festival – premiere 11.07.2025

Gabriele Viviani to Replace Ludovic Tézier in Summer 2025 Production of Macbeth

Turandot at the Savonlinna Opera Festival – majestic splendour, legendary arias, and world-class soloists

Savonlinna Opera Festival 2025: Verdi’s Macbeth Returns Amidst Tribute to Anneli Qveflander to Olavinlinna

Savonlinna Opera Festival Celebrates Finnish Opera Heritage

Savonlinna Opera Festival Announces Directors for 2025 Revivals of Turandot and Macbeth

Savonlinna Opera Festival announces program changes: Olavinlinna 550th Anniversary Concert and Il Diluvio Universale canceled

News about next summer’s soloists

Savonlinna Opera Festival has won the International Opera Awards 2024

The Savonlinna Opera Festival’s production of Aida will be performed in France this fall

Savonlinna Opera Festival nominated for Festival of the Year 2024 at the International Opera Awards

Sound of Peace: Diplomats Convene at Savonlinna Opera Festival for High-Level Discussions

Change of soloists in Don Giovanni and in Nabucco 

Change of soloist in Nabucco – Marigona Qerkezi as Abigaille in all performances

The world’s northernmost medieval castle will soon be 550 years old – the 2025 Savonlinna Opera Festival features highlights from past decades

Nabucco is the most anticipated new production of the season – tickets are selling out fast

Welcome to the Savonlinna Opera Festival – media accreditation is now open

Savonlinna’s super summer of Czech culture offers opera, photographic art and beer

Summer 2024 performances of Káťa Kabanová cancelled and The Bartered Bride on 3 August moved to a new date

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Season 2026

Season 2026

In the summer of 2026, Italian opera takes center stage at the Savonlinna Opera Festival. Evenings at Olavinlinna will shine with Madama Butterfly, Nabucco, The Marriage of Figaro, and La Traviata – crowned by Bellini’s Norma, featuring the dazzling Lisette Oropesa.

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro

3.7. – 25.7.2026

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is a hilarious opera comedy where love, wit, and musical brilliance come together at Olavinlinna.

Nabucco

Nabucco

8.7. – 24.7.2026

With its grand choir scenes including opera’s undoubtedly most famous choir “Va, pensiero”, the monumental stage design and the heart-wrenching fate of the opera’s protagonists, Nabucco returns to Olavinlinna after it’s celebrated and highly acclaimed premiere in 2024 with world-class soprano Marigona Qerkezi as Abigaille.

Madama Butterfly

Madama Butterfly

4.7. – 23.7.2026

Madama Butterfly is a heartbreaking story of love and betrayal. Henry Akina’s direction highlights the emotional drama of human relationships, carried by Puccini’s beautiful music – this is one of the most moving love stories in opera history.

La Traviata

La Traviata

27.7. – 31.7.2026

Verdi’s La Traviata is a touching story of love and sacrifice. The fate of Violetta and Alfredo comes to life at the Savonlinna Opera Festival — the music moves you and stays with you.

Norma & Lisette Oropesa

Norma & Lisette Oropesa

29.7. – 1.8.2026

Bellini’s Norma is a passionate tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and tragic fate. In Savonlinna, the concert version marks the much-anticipated debut of the brilliant soprano Lisette Oropesa in the title role.