Òpera a Catalunya will be the guest company at the Saaremaa Opera Festival in Estonia, which will take place from 23 to 27 July 2024. For 5 days, a total of 7 productions will be performed: Tosca and Manon Lescaut by Puccini, Carmen by Bizet (in an adapted version of the opera that incorporates flamenco ballet and of which there will be two performances), Verdi's Il trovatore and a lyrical opera and zarzuela gala with a selection of the most representative from the Catalan and Spanish repertoire. Òpera a Catalunya will also give a first performance of Carmen on 21 July in Tartu (also in Estonia) as part of the Tartu 2024, European Capital of Culture programme.
The Institut Ramon Llull Ramon hosted the presentation of Catalonia’s participation in Estonia, which was attended by a group of dignitaries including Montserrat Riba, the government delegate to the Nordic and Baltic countries; Pere Almeda, the director of the Ramon Llull Institute; Marta Farrés, the mayor of Sabadell; Kertu Orro, the general director of Eesti Kontsert; Marcello Mottadelli, the artistic coordinator of the Saaremaa Opera Festival; and Oscar Lanuza, the general director of the FOC and manager of the OSV.
About the festival
The Saaremaa Opera Festival is one of the season’s most important cultural events. It is held annually in the medieval castle of Kuressaare, one of the best-known tourist attractions in western Estonia, which attracts 20,000 spectators from all over the world every year. The Festival attracts music lovers, opera enthusiasts, and artists who appreciate the chance to experience opera and classical music in a scenic and historic location. Since its establishment in 1999, the festival has gained significant importance in Estonian cultural life, drawing the largest national and international audiences.
The festival showcases operas presented by international opera companies. The festival has been organised since 2008 by Eesti Kontsert, a state company and Estonia’s leading music promoter, which also manages the country’s four major auditoria in the country. The company’s artistic director is Arne Mikk.
A challenge and an opportunity for international projection
The participation of Ópera a Catalunya in the Estonian festival and in the special programming of Tartu has posed an unprecedented organisational and logistical challenge. Up to 150 people, including the choir, the orchestra, the soloists, the flamenco ballet company and the technical and production team will travel to Estonia to perform.
The performances in Estonia will have an overall budget of approximately €400,000, with almost all of the funding coming from Eesti Kontsert. FOC provides support for pre-production, while the Sabadell City Council assists by providing La Faràndula theatre for rehearsals. The remaining expenses are funded through a combination of subsidies, one of which is provided by the Institut Ramon Llull Ramon Llull for the scenery adaptations.
These events are a great opportunity for Òpera a Catalunya’s international projection. Participating in an event such as the Saaremaa Opera Festival will boost the company’s visibility and prestige, and the company will join the list of major opera companies that have been invited to this festival.
The Opera Foundation in Catalonia (Fundació Òpera a Catalunya FOC) comprises theAssociació d’Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell (Association of Friends of the Opera of Sabadell), the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès (Vallès Symphony Orchestra), the Fundació Banc Sabadell (Banco Sabadell Foundation) and the Fundació Fluidra (Fluidra Foundation), and has the support of the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the City Council of Sabadell, the Ministry of Culture and Sport – INAEM, the Diputació de Barcelona and other institutions, sponsors, collaborators and patrons.
