The Finnish National Opera is launching a new program called The Sugar Factory (Sokeritehdas) – a contemporary opera stage. The program focuses on artist development and reforming contemporary opera as an art form.

The artists selected for The Sugar Factory program will work in teams to create new short contemporary opera works. Thomas de Mallet Burgess, the artistic director of the National Opera, conceived the project. The artists selected for the program will work in groups of three (librettist, composer, and director) to create contemporary opera works lasting approximately 15–20 minutes. These works will be performed at the National Opera's Almi Hall in the autumn of 2026.

The program focuses on supporting the development of the artists. The artists will be offered master classes, mentoring, and group work. Applicants to the program were not required to have previous experience in opera. Nor were they asked to come up with ready-made ideas, as the whole idea is to renew opera. Although the program will result in works that will be performed for the public, its focus is on developing the artists' expression and reforming contemporary opera, bringing it closer to the audience.

Twelve artists have now been selected for the program this year. The selected composers are Sid Hille, Miika Hyytiäinen, Eeva Kontu, and Stephen Webb. The directors are Bálint Barcsai, Anna-Maria Lipponen, Sara Melleri, and Pelzi Piia Peltola, and the librettists are Carmen Baltzar, Ilmari Nera, Susi Siriya Orenius, and Jenna Viro.

The program is funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and it is intended to continue in the future. A new open call for applications will be launched in spring 2026. Read more here.