TUE 22 JULY 8 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE OPERA HALL
Yun Isang
SIM TJONG
Sim Tjong by Isang Yun was commissioned by Germany for the opening ceremony of the 1972 Olympics in Munich. It was premiered that year at the Bayerische Staatsoper and received high praise for “expressing the mysterious spiritual world of the East with profound sound and meticulous design”. This opera, performed with Western instruments, conveys Eastern emotions and tells the story of Sim Tjong’s sacrifice to save her blind father. It presents the audience with themes of rebirth and salvation created by the mystery of love. It is particularly notable for its impressive blend of traditional Korean folk tale and contemporary music.
WED 23 JULY 8 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE OPERA HALL
C. W. Gluck
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
Orfeo ed Euridice by the composer Ch. W. Gluck, known as the ‘Opera Reformer’, is based on the Greco-Roman myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story turns out happily where Orfeo, unable to forget his suddenly deceased wife Euridice, descends to the underworld to find her and moves the god with his song, allowing him to return to the earth with Euridice. Noteworthy is the use of water to represent the worlds of the living and the dead, showcasing the essence of traditional Baroque opera to the audience.
THU 24 JULY 8 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE OPERA HALL
KOREAN DANCE GALA
As a special performance for the Saaremaa Opera Festival, the Daegu Opera House is showcasing Korean Traditional Dance Evening. To present the most Korean and beautiful music as well as dance, the Daegu Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra will perform together. The performance features joyful songs and exciting melodies played on traditional Korean instruments, combining traditional music with dance. It conveys the audience with the diverse charm and beauty of Korean cultural heritage.
FRI 25 JULY 8 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE OPERA HALL
G. Puccini
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Puccini’s beloved opera Madama Butterfly set in Nagasaki, Japan. It tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, who waits alone for her husband to come back with lyrical and dramatic melodies. It is well known for its famous arias including “Un bel di vedremo” from Act 2 and the “Humming Chorus” from Act 3 and the use of the Eastern pentatonic scale in parts of the opera creates an exotic atmosphere. Cio-Cio San’s poignant longing and love, expressed through Puccini’s music, promise to leave an unforgettable impression on the audience.
FRI 25 JULY 11 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE MIDNIGHT LOUNGE
Midnight Lounge OPERA ROYAL
Programme and Performer TBA
SAT 26 JULY 8 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE OPERA HALL
OPERA GALA
The grand finale of Saaremaa Opera Days 2025 will be a gala concert of popular opera numbers composed by Daegu Opera House.
SAT 26 JULY 11 PM
KURESSAARE CASTLE MIDNIGHT LOUNGE
Midnight Lounge OPERA ROYAL
Programme and Performer TBA
MAIN ARTIST SOUTH-KOREA
Daegu Opera House
The guest theatre for the 2025 Saaremaa Opera Days is the Daegu Opera House from South Korea. Founded in 2003, this opera house not only focuses on its core activities but also organizes the annual Daegu International Opera Festival. Over the years, the theatre has performed guest shows in China, Italy, Germany, Japan, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
The audience at the 2025 Saaremaa Opera Days will have the pleasure of enjoying performances by the Daegu Opera House, including Isang Yun’s opera „Sim Tjong“, Gluck’s opera „Orpheus and Eurydice“ and Puccini’s opera „Madama Butterfly“. In addition, there will be a grand opera gala and a Korean dance gala, allowing visitors to experience the full beauty and diversity of Korean culture.
The production aesthetics of the Daegu Opera House value a classical approach to ensure the highest possible standard of performances. However, to deepen the emotional resonance and impact of the stage events, also contemporary media art techniques are used in their productions.