Savonlinna to Salzburg: Opera Festivals of Europe
Helsinki - Savonlinna Festival - Bregenz Festival - Salzburg Summer Festival
From Finland in the north to Italy and Austria in the south, this tour will showcase four of Europe’s longest running and most renowned summer opera festivals: Savonlinna, Bregenz and Salzburg.
Over 16 days enjoy up to 11 performances in venues as varied as the medieval Olavlinna Castle (Savonlinna), a massive floating stage on Lake Constance (Bregenz) and Salzburg’s hallowed halls.
The journey will be as beautiful as the music, from the gentle beauty of Finland’s lakes and forests, to the dramatic majesty of the Austrian Alps. Experience leisurely stays in the countryside in Savonlinna and Bregenz which is contrasted with the sophisticated festival atmosphere of Salzburg.
At a glance ...
- Aida, Magic Flute and Flying Dutchman at Savonlinna Festival
- André Chénier and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at Bregenz Festival
- Six concerts and operas at Salzburg Festival including Emily Magee and Jonas Kaufmann in Ariadne auf Naxos and Anna Netrebko in La Boheme.
- Optional extension to Verona including Turandot and Carmen
André Chénier Bregenzer Festspiele Photo: Karl Forster
ITINERARY:
Sunday 22 July 2012: Depart Australia
Suggested departure from Australia on Cathay Pacific and Finnair via Hong Kong. Overnight in flight.
Mon 23 July: Arrive Helsinki
Early morning or afternoon arrival in Helsinki. Make your way to the Hotel Haven. This evening join Peter Bassett and opera lovers for a welcome briefing and dinner. (Meals included - D)
Tue 24 July: Helsinki - Savonlinna
A morning tour of Helsinki will introduce you this compact city known as the ‘Daughter of the Baltics’. Amongst the highlights are the Neo-classical Senate Square, Kaivoplisto Park, the Sibelius Monument, Finlandia Hall and the Teripolaukio Church hewn out of the natural bedrock.
Afternoon departure from Helsinki. Travel north towards Savonlinna (approx. 5-6 hrs) through the beautiful Lakes District and check in to the Hotel Herttua in Kerimäki near Savonlinna. (BD)
Savonlinna Opera Festival
The birth of the Savonlinna Opera Festival ties in closely with the emergence of the Finnish identity and Finland’s quest for independence at the beginning of the 20th century. Attending a nationalist meeting in Olavinlinna Castle in 1907, the Finnish soprano Aino Ackté, immediately spotted the potential of the medieval castle as the venue for an opera festival. The romantic castle set amid lake scenery could not, in her opinion, fail to impress all who beheld it and was thus the perfect stage for presenting the Finnish music just bursting into flower.
The first opera festival was held in 1912. Aino Ackté did as she had promised and turned the castle into a stronghold of operatic art for five summers. Her magnificent plans were, however, soon dashed by WWI, the Russian Revolution, Finland’s Civil War and the ensuing economic difficulties, but news of the festival had already reached opera lovers in other parts of the world.
The opera festival tradition then lay dormant for almost four decades. In 1967 the festival came to life again when the Savonlinna Music Days decided to arrange an opera course for young singers. The director of the course hit on the idea of staging Beethoven’s Fidelio (italics) in the castle courtyard. The performance was a tremendous success, its cast included singers of international repute in addition to the students, and the premiere of Fidelio (italics) on July 16 1967 is nowadays regarded as the beginning of the present Festival.
Over the years the Savonlinna Opera Festival has grown from a one-week event into an international month-long festival. Each year it performs to a total audience of around 60.000, an estimated quarter of which comes from abroad.
Wed 25 July: Savonlinna
After an introduction to the Savonlinna Opera Festival and a pre-performance talk on Aida by Peter Bassett, enjoy a morning tour of Savonlinna including the imposing 15th century Ovanlinna Castle, which lies on an island overlooking the town. Afternoon at leisure.
This evening enjoy a cruise on the lake and an early dinner on board. The cruise will end at Ovanlinna Castle in time for your first Savonlinna Opera experience – Verdi’s Aida. Performances take place in the great courtyard of the historic Olavinlinna Castle (1475). (BD)
Thu 26 July: Savonlinna
After breakfast, join Peter Bassett for a pre-performance talk on The Flying Dutchman and then explore some of the interesting sights around Savonlinna. This morning visit the Retretti Art Centre, amongst the largest art centres in the Nordic countries. Retretti has 2,000 sqm of gallery space and approx. 3,000 sqm of exhibition space in caverns excavated underground. Continue to Lusto, the Finnish Forest Museum, which depicts the importance of forests and the interaction between man and forests. Complete the excursion with a visit to the Kerimaki Church, the world’s largest wooden church with more than 3,000 seats.
Tonight return to Olavinlinna Castle for a performance of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. (BL)
Fri 27 July: Savonlinna
Full day trip to the Valamo Monastery in Heinävesi. The chronicles of Valamo Monastery record that it was founded on the island of Valamo on Lake Ladoga, Karelia, in the 10th Century by the a monk called Sergei. WWII lead to the evacuation of the original monastery in 1940 and the brotherhood re-located to the present site in Heinävesi later the same year, where they were joined there by the monks of Petsamo Monastery. In 1956 the monks from the monastery of Konevitsa became part of the same community, bringing with them the icon of the Mother of God of Konevitsa, believed to have spiritual powers. The monastery finally became entirely Finnish in the late 1970's. Peter Bassett will give a pre-performance talk on tonight’s opera during the coach journey.
Tonight enjoy your final operatic experience of the Savonlinna Festival - Mozart’s The Magic Flute. (BL)
Sat 28 July: Savonlinna – Helsinki - Bregenz
After breakfast return to Helsinki by coach for an afternoon flight from Helsinki to Zurich (not included in tour price. Flight can be booked as part of the international Finnair flight or purchased separately from approx. AUD600 pp).Late afternoon arrival in Zurich. Transfer to Bregenz located on the shores of Lake Constance. (BD)
Sun 29 July: Bregenz
This morning, after a pre-performance talk by Peter Bassett, discover the secrets of the world’s largest ‘Seebühne’(floating stage) on a 50 minute backstage tour. Take a look behind the scenes and find out all about the history of the Bregenz Festival. Enjoy some free time in Bregenz.
Late in the afternoon embark on the MV Hohentwiel, a historic steamship built in 1913, on a 3hrs cruise on Lake Constance. Enjoy a 4-course gourmet dinner before docking at the wharf adjacent to the floating stage. Make your way to your seats and enjoy tonight’s performance of Umberto Giordano’s André Chénier. (BD)
Mon 30 July: Bregenz
Half day excursion to the nearby town of Lindau. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Lindau and experience the town's rich history, which dates back to the 13th century. Time at leisure for lunch and for a stroll along the lakeside promenade or the Maximilianstrasse, the town’s main shopping street. Return to the hotel early in the afternoon.
Tonight return to the Bregenz Festival for an early dinner followed by a concert in the concert hall by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Teodor Currentzis. (BD)
Programme:
Weinberg: Concerto for cello and orchestra in C minor
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat major
Tue 31 July: Bregenz - Salzburg
After breakfast depart Bregenz for the drive to Salzburg (325KM, approx. 4hrs). Located amongst the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut, Salzburg is dominated by the fortress of Hohensalzberg. The city is renowned not only as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but also for its splendid Renaissance architecture and Baroque courtyards. Afternoon at leisure. (BD)
Wed 01 August: Salzburg
Join Peter Bassett for a talk about this evening’s performance, and then discover the old town of Salzburg on a morning walking tour. View the fortress of Hohensalzburg, the city's chief landmark, built in 1077; the Baroque cathedral with its magnificent façade and mighty dome; St Peter’s Abbey, as well as the oldest pharmacy and the oldest coffee shop. Finish with a visit to Mozart’s Birthplace, where you will see historic instruments, documents, memorabilia and most of the portraits painted during his lifetime.
Afternoon at leisure before the first opera of the Salzburg Summer Festival, a concert performance of one of Mozart’s lesser known operas Il re pastore, a serenata in two acts, conducted by William Christie with Rolando Villazón as Alessandro, Martina Janková as Aminta, Eva Mei as Elisa, Sandra Trattnigg as Tamiri, Benjamin Bernheim as Agenore and the Orchestra La Scintilla of the Zurich Opera House. (B)
Thu 02 August: Salzburg
Day at leisure. Later this afternoon, attend a concert by Camerata Salzburg with a program of Bach and Mozart with soprano Anna Prohaska, mezzo-soprano Marie-Claude Chappuis, Erich Höbarth, Violin, Alexander Janiczek, Violin, Steven Isserlis, Cello, Louise Pellerin, Oboe, Jörg Widmann, Clarinet, András Schiff, Piano.
At the conclusion of the concert, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. Afternoon at leisure before tonight’s concert by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim. (BL)
Programme:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, ‘Pastoral’ Symphony
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Fri 03 August: Salzburg
Join Peter Bassett for a pre-performance talk, and then depart for a full day tour to the nearby Salzkammergut lakes district. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the area is renowned for its landscapes considered to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. The tiny villages of St Gilgen and St Wolfgang are located on scenic Lake Wolfgang, surrounded by the Alps. Lake Fuschl with its clear waters is the largest freshwater reservoir in the Salzburg province.
Tonight return to the Salzburg Festival for Richard Strauss’ opera Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in one act. Text by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Cast includes Emily Magee and Jonas Kaufmann, with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Coproduction with the Vienna State Opera. To be played after Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Molière, adapted by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. In a version for the Salzburg Festival 2012 by Sven-Eric Bechtolf. (BL)
Sat 04 August: Salzburg
Morning concert by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Mariss Jansons with soprano Nina Stemme.
Programme:
Strauss: Don Juan - Tone poem for large orchestra
Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor
Following the concert, join Peter Bassett and fellow opera lovers for a farewell lunch. Afternoon at leisure before attending your last Salzburg Festival performance – a new production in conjunction with the Shanghai Grand Theatre of La Bohème. Daniele Gatti will be conducting the Vienna Philharmonic and Anna Netrebko will sing the role of Mimi. (BL)
Sun 05 August: Depart Salzburg
Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. (B)
If departing on the suggested Finnair flight, a transfer to Munich airport will be provided. Evening departure from Munich via Helsinki and Hong Kong or Singapore.
If going on the optional extension to Verona, depart Salzburg after breakfast for the drive to Verona (180KM, approx. 2.5hrs).
Mon 06 August: In flight
Tue 07 August: Arrive Australia
Morning arrival in Australia.
NB.: Tickets to the Salzburg Festival are on request and are subject to confirmation in March 2012.
Arena di Verona at night
EXTENSION TO VERONA:
Sun 05 August: Salzburg - Verona
Depart Salzburg after breakfast for the drive to Verona (180KM, approx. 2.5hrs) to attend two operas at the well-preserved Arena di Verona.
Verona's renowned opera season begins in late June and extends through August in Verona's Arena, the ancient amphitheatre. It began in 1913 with a staging of Aïda to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Verdi's birth, and Aïda in all of its extravagant glory has been performed yearly ever since. The annual program includes other Verdi works as well as other well known operas. (BD)
Mon 06 August: Verona
Full day excursion to Lake Garda and the pretty town of Sirmione, perched on the end of a long promontory on the southern shore of the lake. Sirmione's beautiful setting was praised by the Roman poet Catullus. The town's narrow medieval streets bustle with colour and life, and its most striking feature is the moated castle, Rocca Scaligera. After a scenic cruise and visit to the Isola del Garda before returning to Verona in the afternoon. (BL)
Tue 07 August: Verona
Join Peter Bassett for a pre-performance talk before a morning walking tour of Verona. Walk through the town centre via Piazza Erbe and Piazza Signori. Continue to the Porta Bosari and walk via the 16th century palaces, Palazzo Canossa and Palazzo Bevilaqua to the Castlevecchio.
Afternoon at leisure before tonight’s performance of Carmen. (B)
Wed 08 August: Verona
Day at leisure to further explore Verona. Following a farewell dinner, attend a second opera at the Arena – Puccini’s Turandot. (BD)
Thu 09 August Depart Verona
Transfer to Milan Malpensa airport for evening departure on Finnair via Helsinki and Singapore.
Fri 10 August: In flight
Sat 11 August: Arrive Australia
Morning arrival in Australia.
