Estonian National Opera Staged Four New Productions in the Past Year

TALLINN – This past year, the Estonian National Opera staged four new productions, completed another original Estonian work, presented a world premiere, and gave guest performances in Spain.

A total of 784 events were held, including 215 performances and concerts, 148 educational projects, and 421 guided tours of the theatre. Altogether, 155,732 people attended events hosted by the national opera in 2025.

The year 2025 began for the theatre at the opposite end of Europe, with the Estonian National Ballet company giving guest performances of "Le Corsaire" at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville. For the home audience, two very special ballet productions were staged this year. March saw the premiere of Lepo Sumera's unfinished ballet "The Lizard" (Sisalik, 1987–1993), which, due to the twists and turns of history, had never before been staged. Composer Märt-Matis Lill restored and composed a complete ballet based on Sumera's manuscripts, brought to the audience by choreographer-director Marina Kesler, set designer Reili Evart, lighting designer Rasmus Rembel, and musical director Kaspar Mänd. Then, in November, a world premiere took place. As part of the production "Forsythe & Looris", alongside the iconic work "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated" by world-renowned choreographer William Forsythe, the Estonian National Ballet's artistic director Linnar Looris debuted his own socio-culturally critical ballet, "37.5", with set design by Reili Evart and lighting by Rasmus Rembel.

Under the direction of veteran Andrus Vaarik, the brilliantly timeless and wittily topical operetta "Die Fledermaus" (Nahkhiir) was presented to the audience, featuring set design by Kristjan Suits, lighting by Priidu Adlas, and musical direction by Arvo Volmer.

International collaboration is a core part of the Estonian National Opera's identity. This was highlighted by "Pulcinella" & "L'heure espagnole" (Hispaania tund), a project combining opera and ballet, co-produced with the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The production was directed by multi-César award-winning French film director Guillaume Gallienne, with choreography by Clairemarie Osta, set design by Sylvie Olivé, costume design by Olivier Bériot, lighting by John Torres, and musical direction by Arvo Volmer. The past year also laid the groundwork for closer cooperation among the Baltic opera houses, with the directors of the Estonian National Opera, the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet signing a cooperation agreement in Vilnius in March. The inaugural event for this Baltic cultural cooperation was the concert "Axis of Ages: Arvo Pärt 90. Carl Orff", held in the Estonia Concert Hall in October under the baton of the National Opera's chief conductor Arvo Volmer.

Additionally, audiences this year had the chance to enjoy the young dancers' special project "An Evening of Estonian National Ballet Choreographers", the first-ever concert performance of the opera "Peter Grimes" in Estonia, the ballet gala "Sergei Upkin Dances", and the "Maurice Ravel 150" symphony concert.

The first premiere of 2026 is already scheduled for January 30, with Janáček's opera "The Cunning Little Vixen" (Väike kaval rebane), directed by Priit Võigemast. The opera explores themes of relationships, self-discovery, and the environment. The theatre will also traditionally greet the audience of the new year's first performance, the musical "Cabaret" on January 3, with a glass of sparkling wine.