OLAVINLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL

OLAVINLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL , begun by Aino Ackté (see ACKTÉ, AINO) in Savonlinna in 1912, held in the medieval Olavinlinna fortress, built in 1475. The 1912 production of Erkki Melartin's Aino was a family affair, with Aino as the lead, her mother Emmy Achté as the director, and the chorus formed of her students. The festival was held five times: 1912, 1913, 1914, 1916, and 1930 under Ackté's direction and formed the foundation for the later Savonlinna Festival, begun in...