Performer: Ville Matvejeff

The Castle in the Water, Sallinen's new “chronicle”, is a new work of innovative beauty. Tragic, comic and epic, in seventy-five minutes it tells the history of Olavinlinna and gives a snap-shot of those connected to it.

In Wagner and Strauss, the beauty and power of Mattila's voice, still fresh and flexible, left the audience reeling in a recital that was a showcase for technique and artistry.

Karita Mattila, star reconnue, soprano dramatique au timbre d’or, au legato superlatif, a offert un récital d'une grande classe à Genève, avec un Brahms rayonnant, un Wagner crépusculaire, un Berg piquant et des Strauss stratosphériques, faisant oublier le manque d’orchestre par le piano épique d’un Vile Matvejeff somptueux.

We spoke to Ville Matvejeff, the new artistic director of the Savonlinna Opera Festival, to find out more about this year's programme.