On 8, 12 & 17 July 2017 Hannu Lintu conducts Aulis Sallinen’s Kullervoat the Savonlinna Opera Festival. The performances mark a revival of Kari Heiskanen’s critically-acclaimed 2014 production, in which Lintu ​“proved himself a wise advocate of the score: in his safe and skilful hands the colours of this piece of contemporary music theatre were given the best possible treatment and the chance to make an impression on the audience” (Opera Magazine). 

Taking its libretto from the Finnish national epic Kalevala, the work is considered to be one of Finland’s most successful operas, and this year’s performances coincide with national celebrations marking 100 years of independence. As part of these celebrations Hannu will also conduct the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in a single performance (the first in more than 80 years) of Väinö Raitio’s 1933 opera Princess Cecilia at the Helsinki Festival on 17 August.