Beethoven / Mozart / Wagner / Mussorgsky: Opera Scenes

Featuring

Ritva Auvinen
Satu Vihavainen
Peter Lindroos
Jorma Silvasti
Jorma Hynninen
Tom Krause

Bengt Rundgren
Ulf Söderblom
Jorma Falck
Jaakko Ryhänen
Taru Valjakka
Anita Välkki
Seppo Ruohonen
Ilpo Mansnerus
Raimo Sirkiä
Aki Alamikkotervo
Martti Talvela
Usko Viitanen
Heikki Kilpeläinen
Kyösti Haatanen
Raili Viljakainen
Pirkko Talola
Pia Raanoja
Matti Salminen
Leif Segerstam
Ulla Sippola
Walton Grönroos
Johann Tilli
Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir
Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra
Ludwig van Beethoven
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Richard Wagner
Modest Mussorgsky
Giuseppe Verdi

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Composition History

The revival of the Savonlinna Opera Festival in 1967 was sparked by German singer and professor Peter Klein's idea to stage a student production of Beethoven's "Fidelio" in the castle courtyard.

Recording & Production

This recording project was initiated by the Savonlinna Choir and its conductor Kyösti Haatanen, and due to financial reasons, it was made quickly under conditions close to a live recording.

Performer Biography

Many famous Finnish opera singers, including soloists on this recording like Ulla Sippola, Jorma Silvasti, Jorma Hynninen, Jorma Falck, and Matti Salminen, began their careers in the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Martti Talvela, a world-famous Finnish bass singer and chairman of the Artistic Board, insisted on using Mussorgsky's original version of "Boris Godunov," believing it was their duty to return to it.

Recording & Production

The Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra is a specially assembled ensemble, similar to the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, comprising leading musicians from across Finland.

Historical Context

The Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place in Olavinlinna, a castle built in 1475 on a narrow channel connecting Lake Saimaa to the Baltic Sea, which was strategically important in the Middle Ages.

Notable Performances

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is one of Europe's oldest, with the first festival taking place in 1912, organized by the famous Finnish opera singer Aino Ackté.