The Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir is known for its vibrant sound, musical punch, and powerful stage presence. Most of its members are either professional singers or young singing students from Finland and abroad.
The jubilee concert at Olavinlinna castle celebrates this incredible instrument made of 80 voices. It also honours the long-term commitment of chorus master Matti Hyökki, who has conducted the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir since 2008. Matti Hyökki, pioneer of choral music and professor emeritus has led Finland’s premier choirs for the past 50 years. Hyökki is now retiring, and a new chorus master will take over at the Savonlinna Opera Festival.
Before saying goodbye, it’s time to sing together once more.
The concert begins with Anton Bruckner’s six-part Mass based on Gregorian chant. The choir and the wind ensemble are conducted by Matti Hyökki. After the interval, we hear a fascinating medley of choral classics and opera pieces. Hyökki’s fabulous farewell also features Finland’s most internationally sought after tenor, Tuomas Katajala.
