Featuring interviews with Aulis Sallinen, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Irene Dische and Okko Kamu, this documentary introduces The Palace and also shows the magnificent setting of the Savonlinna Opera Festival, which takes place each summer in the courtyard of the Olavinlinna castle, the best-preserved medieval fortification in the Nordic countries.
Directed by Jarmo Jääskelainen
This recording features the world premiere of Aulis Sallinen fifth opera: The Palace.
The opera is based on the libretto by the distinguished writers Hans-Magnus Enzensberger and Irene Dische. Inspired by Mozart’s Entführung aus dem Serail and Ryszard Kapuscinski’s The Emperor, they created a satirical story of the collapse of a thoroughly corrupt court. It shows how absurd an autocrat can get in the setting of ludicrous ceremonies and bizarre rules of precedence.
Sallinen’s music is like a kaleidoscope: rich, multi-coloured and many faceted. It is instantly appreciable and approachable. The production by Kalle Holmberg earned thunderous ovations from audience and critics alike.
