Rumon Gamba conducts world premiere of Sámi opera at Oulu City Theatre
- Linda Marks
- Jan 8
- 1 min read
On 16th January Rumon Gamba will conduct the world premiere of Ovllá, the first full-length opera ever premiered in Finland in the Northern Sámi language.
Key Details
World Premiere: January 16, 2026, at the Oulu City Theatre in Oulu, Finland
Story: The narrative focuses on a fictional character, Ovllá, a man who has lost his connection to his roots and language after being forced into a boarding school as a child. It explores themes of identity, shame, and the intergenerational legacy of silence, ultimately exploring whether he can choose to remember and reconnect with his heritage.
Music: The music is composed by Finnish composer Cecilia Damström and uniquely combines Western opera forms with traditional Sámi joiks (traditional Sámi singing), which are an integral part of the composition. The joiks are composed by Emil Kárlsen, who also plays the lead role
Libretto: The libretto was written by Sámi playwright and writer Siri Broch Johansen (Juho-Sire).
Languages: The opera is performed in Northern Sámi and Finnish, with subtitles available in Finnish, Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi, and English
Collaboration: The production is a collaboration between the Oulu City Theatre, the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš, the Oulu Symphony, and the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture project.
Ovllá is a significant cultural event, marking a unique collaboration between Sámi and non-Sámi artists to bring the indigenous perspective and history of state-led oppression to the main stage.
For more information and tickets, go to https://oulunteatteri.fi/naytelma/ovla/
