A successful summer at the Savonlinna Opera Festival

Savonlinna Opera Festival season 2004 was a great success. Despite the rainy summer, tickets were sold expectedly. Over 62,000 visitors purchased tickets for different performances, the total number of customers amounting to anywhere near 72,000 customers.

The ticket sales fell short of the budgeted goal by less than 2.0 %, which equals to 10.0 % growth in the ticket sales when compared to year 2003. This is approximately 9,000 tickets more than the previous year. The utilization rate of the operas was 87.0 %, which signifies a growth of 4.0 %. Overall, this can be considered a great achievement taking into account the current market situation.

All five productions of the Savonlinna Opera Festival were received favourably. Turandot, The Flying Dutchman and the Canine Kalevala received almost without any exceptions warm reception. The production of children's operas could not have had a better start!

The newest production, The Tales of Hoffmann and the double-bill Cavalleria rusticana & I Pagliacci conquered in the Olavinlinna castle, yet dividing opinions and causing debate. In any event, vivid discussion should be seen as promoting and elaborating art.

The highlights of the year among the concert series were naturally Karita Mattila's concerts as well as Jorma Hynninen's 35th Anniversary concert and Tommi Hakala's lied concert. Among the highlights were also the cello concerto given by the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra's cello group, and the Runeberg concert.

The visit of the Latvian National Opera was a great success as well. The undivided attentions of the audiences proved that this really is an opera house of high standards.

On the basis of the customer and media feedback as well as the experiences we had this year, it can be said that this season was remarkably successful. The Savonlinna Opera Festival has indeed managed to improve its status as one of the leading opera festivals in the world.

The ticket sales for the season 2005 have been unexceptionally busy. Already over 35 % of the tickets are reserved.

The Savonlinna Opera Festival wishes to express its gratitude to the customers and supporters for a successful season!

source: Savonlinna Opera Festival