| Savonlinna
Opera Festival July
25th - August 1st, 2002 and
two optional performances |
|
|
458
West 52nd Street #1D
New York, NY 10019 (800) 916-0312 |
Come and enjoy the unique Savonlinna Opera Festival in the heart of Europe's
largest lake area. Summer fills this small town with culture and music. The
main stage, framed by medieval walls, is in the large courtyard of Olavinlinna
Castle (Castle of Peace), one of the proudest Finnish castles, set on Olavinlinna
Island. World class singers, carefully crafted performances and the ancient
walls create an atmosphere that no opera enthusiast should miss.
Wednesday, July
24th
Independent departures today for Helsinki.
Thursday, July
25th
Arrival in Helsinki, picturesque gateway city to the Nordic countries. Our
private coach transfers us to to Savonlinna, via Järvenpää,
on Lake Tuusula, where Sibelius and his wife, Aino, lived for 53 years in
Villa Ainola. Sibelius was an extraordinary composer who is able to indelibly
inscribe into our memories his thoughts and emotions about his homeland as
we listen to his powerful, yearning music. Lunch is included. Continue to
Kerimäki, to the four star Hotel Herttua situated in a beautiful part
of the Finnish countryside. It has a full service restaurant, lounge-restaurants,
cross-country trails, beauty specialist, fitness centre for massages, two
saunas, jacuzzi, swimming pool, and indoor tennis.
This evening we
present the option of attending a performance of the dramatic Finnish opera
Juha, by Aarre Merikanto, which features some of the best folk dancers and
musicians in Finland in the climactic Karelian dance scene. Jukka-Pekka Saraste
conducts, with Jorma Hynninen (Festival Director) singing the title role.
Sung in Finnish with English surtitles. (Supplemental Ticket Price TBA)
Friday, July 26th
Today we begin to explore Savonlinna and it's surroundings. Our local guide
will astonish us with the details of the world´s largest wooden church
in Kerimäki. We then proceed to Savonlinna for a sightseeing tour of
the town ending at Olavinlinna Castle, the best preserved fortress in the
Nordic countries and built in the 15th century to protect Savonlinna from
Russia. Afternoon at leisure. Perhaps browse around the harbor-front or visit
the Provincial Museum and Museum Ships. Return to the hotel for an early dinner.
Robert Israel's
new production of Wagner's magnificent Tristan und Isolde will be performed
this evening at Olavinlinna Castle. A group of outstanding Wagnerians star
in this evening's performance: Renate Behle as Isolde, Heiki Siukola as Tristan
and Matti Salminen as King Marke. The performance will be conducted by Lief
Segerstam.
Saturday, July 27th From Savonlinna Harbor, we take a guided excursion by
ship to Punkaharju through beautiful scenery to reach Punkaharju Ridge, one
of the best-known natural sights in Finland. This long, narrow chain of ridges,
formed during the Ice Age, separates two lakes and is surrounded on both sides
by magnificent scenery. Our tour continues at the Retretti Art Centre, located
in majestic caverns blasted out of rock. Dinner is included at the hotel this
evening before returning to Olavinlinna Castle.
We are delighted
to attend the final performance of Verdi's Rigoletto, starring renowned baritone
Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the title role, alongside Ekaterina Siourina, Taro
Valjakka, and Jae-Chul Bae.
Sunday, July 28th
Today our expert guide shows us the Orthodox monasteries of Heinävesi
and Lintula. The Convent of Lintula was founded in 1895 on the isthmus of
Karelia, but was moved in 1946 to Heinävesi. The nuns of the Lintula
Convent make wax candles used in all the Orthodox churches in Finland. Visit
the New Valamo Monastery, centre of Orthodox culture, and open to pilgrims.
Driven from their home in Valamo (now in Russia) during the war, the monks
settled in Heinävesi. Old Valamo, on an island in Lake Ladoga, was one
of the most famous monasteries in the Orthodox world and possessed a great
wealth of ecclesiastical treasures, including icons, many of which were saved
when the monastery was evacuated. New Valamo is home to the most comprehensive
Orthodox library and the first Icon conservation workshop in the Nordic countries.
After a guided tour, lunch is included in the monastery's own restaurant Trapessa.
Evening at leisure.
We present the option of attending the finals of the Timo Mustakallio Voice
Competition at the new Savonlinna Hall. (Supplemental Ticket Price TBA)
Monday, July 29th
Experience the grandeur of the Rauhalinna Villa on Lake Haapavesi, as you
enjoy a Buffet lunch. The Villa, built in 1900 by a Lieutenant General in
the Russian Army, as a silver-wedding gift to his wife, is a masterpiece of
carpentry with its lace-like wooden carvings. Leisure time in Savonlinna.
Late afternoon transfer to the hotel. The evening is at leisure to enjoy the
peace and beauty of the countryside.
Tuesday, July 30th
Morning at leisure. Because of the great popularity of the Savonlinna Opera
Festival and the correspondingly high demand for accommodation, we will move
today in to the town of Savonlinna, to the Summer Hostel Vuorilinna, for the
remainder of our visit. There are several advantages to this move - as well
as the proximity to Olavinlinna Castle, we will have more time to spend in
the town, and will gain a little time on our return transfer to Helsinki Airport.
All rooms have private facilities and a kitchenette. As the Vuorilinna has
no restaurant of its own, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the adjacent
Spa Hotel. Early Dinner before the premiere performance at Olavinlinna Castle
of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, by Wagner. Production of Deutsche
Oper am Rhein Germany, conducted by John Fiore. The international cast includes
Hans Tschammer, Malcom Smith, Torsten Hofmann, and Carol Wilson.
Wednesday, July
31th
This entire day is at leisure for your own activity. You might want to explore
the shops in Savonlinna or take a closer look at the museums or the harbor.
Early farewell dinner at the Spa Hotel before our final performance in this
wonderful Nordic experience, the premiere of the Otto Schenk production of
Der Rosenkavalier, by Richard Strauss, at Olavinlinna Castle. Production of
Deutsche Oper am Rhein Germany, conducted by John Fiore. This evening's cast
includes the remarkable Jeanne Piland alongside Artur Korn, Kristina Hammarström,
and Marlis Petersen.
Thursday, August 1st
After our farewell Buffet Breakfast, we check out of the hostel and transfer
by private coach to Helsinki Airport for independent late morning or afternoon
flights.
Would you like to extend your stay in Scandinavia? Customized pre- or post-tour
extensions are available in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm,
Copenhagen, or we could arrange a journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun
(Lappland). Or perhaps you would like to join us in Italy for the Italian
Summer Festivals…. Please discuss this at registration.
TOUR PRICE
Land Arrangements
US$2650 (Based on Double Occupancy)
Single Supplement US$450
$1500 Deposit is required to secure your space on tour. Balance due on June
1st, 2002.
Transportation
Lowest Airfare at time of booking is available directly through Pro Musica
Tours, at cost, for your convenience. A Saturday night stay is included to
assure you the lowest airfare possible.
Please call for details.
3-day Pre-tour Helsinki Extension
July 22th - 25th, 2002
Monday,
July 22nd
Independent departures for Helsinki.
Tuesday, July 23rd
Independent arrivals at Helsinki Airport. Meet your English speaking guide
and transfer to the four star Hotel Grand Marina, in the city centre, close
to the Market Square. Located beautifully by the sea and the ferry harbor,
the architecturally unique customs house, built in the early years of this
century, has been turned into a modern functional hotel, the historical value
of the building being lovingly cherished throughout the restoration.
Welcome Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Wednesday, July
24th
After breakfast, we depart on a guided 3-hour sightseeing tour of Helsinki,
the Capital of Finland. Visible from afar is the Lutheran Cathedral, the majestic
symbol of the city and a welcoming landmark for approaching ships. The City
Hall and Presidential Palace watch over the bustling and colorful Market Square,
where stands are full of interesting wares, fruit, vegetables, flowers, Finnish
specialties and art handicrafts. Beside the Market Square is Market Hall,
a treasure trove of Finnish culinary delicacies. The Sibelius Monument, a
huge steel structure resembling a set of organ pipes, symbolizes the music
of the great Finnish composer. Visit unique Rock Church (Tempellaukio) with
its walls of natural Finnish rock. Helsinki was founded in the year 1550 and
has been the capital of Finland since 1812. Today the Daughter of the Baltic
is a modern city of 500,000 inhabitants. Among the city´s most appealing
features are its harbor and archipelago, spacious parks, splendid architecture,
quality shops and restaurants, unique sights and friendly people.
In the evening transfer to the Russian restaurant Saslik, to enjoy a splendid
evening in the eastern atmosphere and spirit of the Czars, with live russian
music, while sampling traditional russian delicacies. Transfers included.
Thursday, July
25th
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to meet the incoming group, and continue
on to Savonlinna.
PRE TOUR PRICE
Land Arrangements
US$299 (Based on Double Occupancy)
Single Supplement US$125