Opera By You – Announcing the world’s first opera created by the Internet community

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is launching an unprecedented project in which anyone can contribute to the creation of an opera. For any member of the Internet community can help to write the libretto, compose the music, design the sets and costumes – from beginning to end. The Savonlinna Opera Festival will 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 community 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. There you will also find press material.