Finnish National Opera’s The Sugar Factory – New Opera Works programme selects 12 artists from 300 applicants
Funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Finnish National Opera’s The Sugar Factory – New Opera Works inaugural programme has selected twelve artists through an open call. The premieres of the works created through this collaboration will take place at the Finnish National Opera’s Almi Hall in autumn 2026.
Nearly 300 applications received highlight the wealth of talented composers, writers, directors, and other creative professionals in Finland who are eager to collaborate in shaping opera.
The selected artists share a strong interest in socially engaged themes that reflect current societal issues and structural injustices. These include gender equality and feminism, the rights and visibility of minority groups, economic and social inequality, the effects of poverty, and both local and global conflicts. Through their art, the participants aim to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and challenge prevailing norms.
At the heart of The Sugar Factory are the values of diversity and inclusion. The programme seeks to introduce fresh voices and perspectives into the opera world. Participants are supported throughout the process by experienced international opera professionals. Previous experience in opera was not required to apply, encouraging artists from a broad range of backgrounds to take part.
Creativity, curiosity, and courage give rise to a rich diversity of artistic voices
The artists selected for the 2025–2026 programme are: writer Carmen Baltzar, director Bálint Barcsai, composer Sid Hill, composer Miika Hyytiäinen, composer Eeva Kontu, director Anna-Maria Lipponen, director Sara Melleri, writer Ilmari Nera, writer Susi Siriya Orenius, director Pelzi Piia Peltola, writer Jenna Viro and composer Stephen Webb.
What unites these artists is their courage to tackle complex themes through art and their shared curiosity to explore opera as a contemporary form of expression collaboratively. All are interested in how opera can speak to modern audiences. Over the course of a year, the artists will work in four groups to explore the process of creating new short works that will then premiere in the autumn of 2026.
The New Opera Stage is a concept developed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Opera.
“The response to our open call has been really affirming. The way applicants engaged with the idea of a developmental programme connecting opera to our time and place reinforces the interest by artists from different backgrounds at the opportunity opera presents. In the end the panel reviewing the applications found it challenging to select the final invited group and wish to underline that applicants not successful this time around are welcome to apply again. As ever huge thanks to the Finnish Cultural Foundation for supporting this initiative.”
The Sugar Factory is a three-year project, with the next open call scheduled for spring 2026. The project’s name refers to the sugar factory that operated on Töölönlahti in Helsinki until 1965, on the site where the Finnish National Opera and Ballet now stands.
“The name captures the essence of the project: playful and inviting. It holds a connection to opera’s history while looking toward its future”, describes project manager Tinja Salmi.
