Opera By You – Announcing the world’s first opera created by the Internet community
The Savonlinna Opera Festivalwill in turn be placing world-class soloists, a chorus of 80, a symphony orchestra and its entire production machinery at the community’s disposal. The opera will be premiered at the Savonlinna Opera Festival in summer 2012.
“Writing the libretto and music for an opera has traditionally been the work of only a few, as has the visual designing” says Savonlinna Opera Festival General Director Jan Hultin. “We now want a large group of people to take part in this unique creative process from the very beginning. Through this project we can, I believe, tempt new people into the rich and colourful world of opera.”
Helping the Internet community will be a group of opera professionals: the Savonlinna Opera Festival’s head of productions Jukka Pohjolainen, composer Markus Fagerudd, opera director Jere Erkkilä and project manager Sivi Uitto. The idea is being developed and worked on in partnership with the hasan & partners advertising agency. The main partners for the project are Helsingin Sanomat and Nokia.
“We’re really excited to see what the community achieves. Hopefully something that’s never before been seen in Olavinlinna Castle,” says the man in charge of the ultimate production, Jukka Pohjolainen.
Anyone can join in making an opera at www.operabyyou.com(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).
Savonlinna Opera Festival in brief
The Savonlinna Opera Festival is internationally widely known Finnish cultural event and one of the most important tourist attractions in Finland. Over the years Savonlinna Opera Festival has grown to become a month long international festival. 60,000 people visit the festival every year, and 10 per cent of them are international visitors. Opera in Savonlinna is a comprehensive experience that consists of high-level opera performances and concerts, the unique atmosphere of the medieval Olavinlinna castle and scenically beautiful summer in Savonlinna. Savonlinna has become a concept among opera fans throughout the world. 14% of the Opera Festival’s funding comes from the Ministry of Education and the City of Savonlinna, nearly 70% from the ticket sales and c. 12% from sponsorships. www.operafestival.fi(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)