World Premiere of Sámi Opera Ovllá on Friday

Oulu Theatre, the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš, and Oulu Symphony Orchestra bring
the highly anticipated masterpiece to the stage on Friday, January 16. It is the first fulllength opera to receive its world premiere in the North Sámi language.

The story of Ovllá delves into the traumatic recent history of the Finnish education
system. The work explores the boarding schools of the 1960s and 1970s, where
systematic assimilation severed the connection between many Sámi children and their
families and language.

“This is the Sámi experience condensed into one person; the histories of a thousand
people contained within one. Ovllá’s choices reflect the painful decisions that people
belonging to oppressed ethnic minorities may have to make to survive while still holding
on to their dignity,” says Sámi playwright Siri Broch Johansen, who wrote the libretto for
Ovllá.

Ovllá is composed by Cecilia Damström and directed by Oulu Theatre’s director Heta
Haanperä. The music is performed by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, conducted by
Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba.

Symmetry, Nature, and Institutional Rigidity at the Musical Core

The Sámi opera Ovllá is a groundbreaking musical synthesis that combines the deep
structures of Northern nature, yoik (traditional Sámi singing), and modern symphonic
opera. The musical foundation of the work is built on a dialogue between the “ice
theme” created by composer Cecilia Damström and the yoiks composed by Emil
Kárlsen.

Damström’s ice theme is inspired by the molecular symmetry of water; the chords
heard in the music “creep forward,” freeze into harmonies, and melt again, just like
water in nature. In the music of Ovllá, the ice theme is contrasted by Finland, which is
depicted as a rigid institutional power.

“The traditional harmony heard in the music—the traditional tonal chords and rigid,
steady 4/4 rhythms—reflects historical tradition and its ruthlessness,” Damström
explains.

Performing the lead role, Emil Kárlsen interprets the character of Ovllá in a vocal “inbetween” state that sits on the boundary between yoik and operatic singing:

“Just as my character is something between Sámi and Finnish, my singing is also
something between yoik and opera,” Kárlsen describes.

A Polyphonic and Intercultural Collaboration

The artistic design of Ovllá has relied heavily on multidisciplinary and intercultural
cooperation:

“At the core of the process is polyphonic design. The collaboration between a Finnish
director, Sámi designers, and a Sámi choreographer has been based on listening and
carefully coordinated multi-voicedness. The stage becomes a space that does not
solve or advise; it listens,” says director Heta Haanperä.

The production features visiting Sámi artists: Geir Tore Holm (Set Design), Bihtošoabbá
Helme / Helmi Hagelin (Costume Design), Øystein Heitmann (Lighting Design), and Auri
Ahola (Choreography). The sound design is by Oulu Theatre’s Jari Niemi. The title role is
performed by Emil Kárlsen.

The opera is performed in North Sámi and Finnish. The work was commissioned and
produced in collaboration with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, the Sámi National
Theatre Beaivváš, and Oulu2026. The production has received funding from the Finnish
Cultural Foundation.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026. Ovllá is part of the Oulu2026 cultural
program and “Cultural Climate Change,” and it serves as the opening for Oulu’s year as
the European Capital of Culture. The performance season runs from January 16 to
February 28, 2026.

Get your tickets now!