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Young Singers’ Programme

In the autumn of 2022, the Finnish National Opera launched a new programme in support of the professional development of young singers, with the Louise and George Ehrnrooth Foundation as its founding partner. The singers, who are selected for the programme based on applications and an audition, are offered a temporary trainee soloist contract at the Finnish National Opera for one season at a time. They will be featured in Main Stage productions.

The singers selected for the programme in the 2023–2024 season

For the 2023–2024 season, the first sopranos to be chosen for the Young Singers’ Programme are Iris Candelaria and Elisaveta Rimkevitch. The Finnish National Opera will release the repertoire for the upcoming season at the end of March, which is when Candelaria and Rimkevitch’s roles will also be disclosed.

”We’d like to extend our congratulations to the Finnish National Opera for selecting such talented singers from an outstanding pool of applications. We are thrilled that, thanks to the selection, the Young Singers’ Programme is now ready to begin.”

– GEORG EHRNROOTH, Chairman of the Board, The Louise & Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation

Iris Candelaria

Soprano Iris Candelaria graduated with a Master of Music degree from the opera programme of the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in summer 2022, with Annika Ollikari. Candelaria made her debut at the Finnish National Opera as Queen of the Night in W.A Mozart’s The Magic Flute and at the Savonlinna Opera Festival as the High Priestess in Verdi’s Aida. She won joint first prize in the Lappeenranta Singing Competition in January 2023.

Elisaveta Rimkevitch

Soprano Elisaveta Rimkevitch completed her Master of Music degree in classical vocal studies at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in summer 2021. The board of the Pro Musica Foundation chose her as the young musician of the year in 2017. She was a finalist in the Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition in 2017 and 2019 and the Kangasniemi Singing Contest in 2018. Rimkevitch also come in joint third place in the Lappeenranta Singing Competition in 2023.

”Being a successful opera singer requires skills, which you can only learn from experienced, world-class professionals. The Young Singers’ Programme of the Finnish National Opera will be an excellent opportunity to mentor, encourage and inspire young musicians in all the aspects of performing arts. I’m very excited to take part in this project!”

– Hannu Lintu, Chief Conductor of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet

support young singers’ program

Your donation to the Young Singers’ Program will support the development of opera singers at the start of their professional career.

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Any questions?

For more information about the programme, please contact External Relations Manager Lauri Pokkinen, lauri.pokkinen@opera.fi

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