Finnish National Opera 100 years
The year 2011 will be filled with a variety of celebratory performances at the FNO in honour of the 100th anniversary of the founding of its predecessor, the Domestic Opera. The centenary will be marked with two world premieres of new Finnish operas and a range of other special events.
In its centenary year, the FNO will be active beyond the Opera House in many ways, for instance through regional guest performances, exhibitions, several TV broadcasts and DVD releases. The year will also include two centenary seminars, a series of lectures and open house days. Moreover, 7,000 seventh-grade pupils from all around Finland will be coming to the FNO to enjoy an opera performance free of charge, thanks to support from the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
FNO Centennial Events
Opera premieres
Robin Hood January 14
Il trittico May 13
Doctor Atomic November 4
Juha December 3
Entire repertoire for the 2011 spring season
Ticket sales for the 2011 autumn season begin in April. Contact FNO Sales Services for more information.
Concerts and guest performances
Celebratory Concert: The Finnish National Opera - 100 years!
January 29 at 19.30 on the FNO Main Stage
Aleksis Kivi
February 11 and 12
Guest performances in Joensuu
Albert Herring
June 8 and 9
Guest performances in Muurame
Celebratory seminars and lecture series
Cultivating professional musicians! A Celebratory Seminar on music education
January 22 at 13.30 in the Almi Hall
The FNO weighs in on an important issue. Pianist and conductor Ralf Gothóni will kick off a panel discussion on the development of young people and amateurs into professional musicians in Finland today, with participants FNO Artistic Director Mikko Franck, Sibelius Academy Rector Gustav Djupsjöbacka and Tampere Conservatoire Principal Ilari Laakso. Music authority Pekka Hako will lead the discussion. Free admission and coffee. The seminar will take place in Finnish.
‘My Opera’ lecture series
Every Sunday for seven weeks beginning September 11 in the Almi Hall
The list of lecturers includes Matti Vainio, Anne Sivuoja-Gunaratnam, Pentti Paavolainen, Mikko-Olavi Seppälä, Hanna Suutela, Hannu-Ilari Lampila and Pekka Hako. The lectures will take place in the FNO Almi Hall on seven consecutive Sundays, beginning on September 11 (11.9, 18.9, 25.9, 2.10, 9.10, 16.10 and 23.10) from 14-16. The lectures are arranged in cooperation with the Helsinki Open University. The lecture series will take place in Finnish.
Celebratory seminar
December 2 in the Almi Hall
Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari will lead a discussion on national ideals and the concept of nationalism in the FNO Almi Hall. Note: Entrance from the side of the opera house facing the Töölö Bay. Free admission, all are welcome. The seminar will take place in Finnish.
Free events open to the public
Winter Ball
January 30 from 16-19 in the opera piazza
A festive outdoor Winter Ball has been arranged by the FNO employees to celebrate the centennial. On January 30 the opera piazza will come to life with dance, costumes and live music, featuring soloists Matti Salminen, Johanna Rusanen, Jyrki Anttila and Mika Pohjonen. The hosts for the event will be soprano Lilli Paasikivi and dancer-choreographer Sami Saikkonen. Food and warm drinks will be available for purchase. Free admission, everyone is welcome to come and share in the winter festivities.
FNO Open House
Saturday March 13 from 10-17
Free programme for both new and old visitors to our facilities: the FNO orchestra and chorus will perform in the main foyer, along with a special programme just for children. Backstage tours will take place in Finnish throughout the day and visitors will have the opportunity to dress up in costumes and have their photo taken. Register for tours and photos upon arrival. The Open House programme is still taking shape, so be sure to consult the FNO website for more event information!
FNO Open House
Saturday October 28 beginning at 10 am
Free programme for both new and old visitors to our facilities: Attend rehearsals of the opera Doctor Atomic, set to premiere on November 4, along with a special programme just for children. Backstage tours will take place in Finnish throughout the day and visitors will have the opportunity to dress up in costumes and have their photo taken. Register for tours and photos upon arrival. The Open House programme is still taking shape, so be sure to consult the FNO website for more event information!
Exhibition
100-year Celebratory Exhibition
January 24 – December 31 in the FNO Main Foyer
Familiarize yourself with the 100-year history and current operations of the Opera and Ballet in Finland with the aid of costumes, set pieces, letters, photos, videos and audio samples. The exhibition, planned by the architect Reija Hirvikoski, will be on display until the end of May.
Free admission Monday-Friday 12–17 and Saturdays 15–17, as well as during performances.
Note: June 18 – July 31 closed,
August 1–14 Mon–Fri 12–17 (Sat closed)
Entrance from the side of the opera house facing the Töölö Bay. Everyone is warmly welcome!
The Finnish National Opera in Finnish society
An exhibition at the Post Museum
April 1-August 31
The Helsinki Post Museum is hosting an exhibition on the history of the FNO in Finland, featuring numerous beautiful costumes from the Theatre Museum collection. Historic Finnish stamps with opera themes will also be on display.
TV broadcasts
Sunday February 6 YLE Teema
Robin Hood
Sunday March 6 YLE Teema
Die tote Stadt
Sunday April 3 YLE Teema
L'amour de loin
The first hundred years
"Good day, it is I!" began Eino Rautavaara, launching into the prologue in I pagliacci (–). The date was 2 October 1911, and this was the first performance ever staged by the Domestic Opera...
