SAVONLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL , founded in 1955 by the efforts of Yrjö Kilpinen (see KILPINEN, YRJÖ), it has become one of Finland's most important musical events.
A previous opera festival had been held at the medieval castle there, under the name of Olavinlinna Opera Festival (see OLAVINLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL), in the years 1912, 1913, 1914, 1916, and 1930, all under Aino Ackté's (see ACKTÉ, AINO) direction. The revived Savonlinna Festival was at first intended to sponsor Lieder singing with...