Jubilee concert of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir

Matti Hyökki & the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir

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.

Esiintyjät

Matti Hyökki

conductor
Tuomas Katajala

tenor
Oopperajuhlakuoro

Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir
Wind ensemble of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra

PROGRAMME

Anton Bruckner

Mass no. 2 in E minor for mixed choir and wind ensemble
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Benedictus
Angus Dei
Interval
Giacomo Puccini

“Sale ascende l’uman cantico”

from the opera Tosca (1900) (arr. V. Matvejeff)
Franz Schuber

Ständchen D.920 (1826)

(arr. V. Matvejeff) Soloist Tuomas Katajala
Speech

Mr Ville Matvejeff,

Artistic Director to the Savonlinna Opera Festival
Toivo Kuula

Auringon noustessa (At Sunrise),

Op.11 No.3 (1909)
Giuseppe Verdi

”Va pensiero”

from the opera Nabucco (1842) (arr. V. Matvejeff)

As the choir comes on stage and launches into song, it sends shivers through the audience. The powerhouse of an opera performance, it adapts to a wide variety of roles, regardless of the language, style or story. Scene by scene and night after night, it electrifies the atmosphere.

Aida

Aida

1.7. – 23.7.2022

”Aida must be retold, because the world has changed irrevocably.” The new Aida directed by Philipp Himmelmann is both intimate and visually spectacular, and realistic yet mythical.

Ludovic Tézier & Cassandre Berthon

Ludovic Tézier & Cassandre Berthon

Baritone Ludovic Tézier’s concert at Olavinlinna will be a world-class event. We’re delighted that, along with Tosca, he will perform in a concert of his own too.

Tosca

Tosca

7.7. – 15.7.2022

Ludovic Tézier’s Scarpia should not be missed if you get a chance ever to see him in the theatre.”

Arlecchino & Gianni Schicchi

Arlecchino & Gianni Schicchi

27.7. – 29.7.2022

This evening of two Italian operas is like an exhilaratingly upbeat carnival.

Enjoy your stay

Interval refreshments

Interval refreshments

Enjoy your interval refreshments without any hassle and in an environment rich in atmosphere by booking in advance.

Good to know

Good to know

Visit to the Savonlinna Opera Festival is a full experiense for both new comers and experienced visitors. We have gathered here services, tips and information for a succesfull visit.

Season 2022

Season 2022

In summer 2022, we want to offer the best of the best: a brand new, spectacular Aida, Tosca and Carmen, Ludovic Tézier’s concert at Olavinlinna and guests from Croatia. See more here.