Bon appétit! - Silvia and I​

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The performance consists of two comedic chamber operas: Bon Appétit! and Silvia and I.

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Bon appétit! 

 

A light-hearted musical monologue for mezzo-soprano and piano.
composed by Lee Hoiby (1926–2011)

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Text by Julia Child, adapted by Mark Shulgasser
Translated into Finnish by Saara Pääkkönen
Directed by Ville Saukkonen
Performed by Saara Pääkkönen, mezzo-soprano, and Armaan Madar, piano 
 

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A less-than-persnickety TV chef prepares a French chocolate cake in front of the cameras. Chocolate splatters, the air is thick with flour, and the chef enjoys her wine, but, as if by a miracle. The result is a perfect chocolate cake, Le gateau au chocolat l'éminence brune.
 

Along the way, the chef gives baking tips, and even challenges the electric mixer to an egg white beating race.

Bon appétit! is a whirlwind operatic baking extravaganza. Hoiby’s humorous music consists of multiple musical genres varying in quick succession, ranging from musicals to bebop and church music to opera.​

Silvia and I

 

Composer: Markus Fagerudd
Librettist: Eppu Nuotio
Director: Ville Saukkonen

Cast: Olga Heikkilä, Jenni Lättilä, Ville Salonen, and Hoppe Sinervä
Pianist: Jussi Littunen

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"Silvia and I" is a Finnish contemporary opera that premiered at the Tampere Biennale in 2018. The libretto, written by Eppu Nuotio, represents a rare genre in Finnish opera: it is comedic, light, and set in the present day.

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Plot and Theme
Queen Elizabeth II has invited other queens to a dinner at Buckingham Palace, but is pleased when they all cancel, leaving her with a free evening. However, Silvia eventually shows up, and the two queens end up sharing their joys and sorrows.​