OPERA PLACES Teiya Kasahara 笠原 貞野 takes us to Helsinki, Finland

City where you’re working?
Helsinki.

How long are you working on contract?
It’s been about six weeks so far? We started in Vancouver to rehearse, and then built the second show, La Doriclea: Inter-Acts, here in Helsinki and now are about to perform the other, Orpheus in UNDERWORLD.

What’s the opera house like?
We performed in the Musiikkitalo (Music House) Black Box in the city centre, a huge multi-purpose facility that houses one of the most unique acoustic concert halls in the world. Our theatre was warm and inviting, intimate, with bleacher style seating. Our orchestra (Weimar Baroque) was situated downstage right. Now we are in Pannu Hall at the Tanssin Talo (Dance House). It’s a giant cement space, an old building converted into this multi-functional theatre space. We have very high ceilings, modern equipment and a large play space with raked bleacher style seating. Our tech team and modern rock orchestra is situated upstage right.

Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
I haven’t seen much because the schedule has been quite intense, and when I’m not singing, I’m resting, cooking, doing laundry, hitting the gym and the sauna in the hotel. I saw the old market a week ago and that was lovely to see on a bright sunny day. There’s a lake in the middle of the city, just northwest of the central train station, and thousands of flowers have been planted everywhere. It was a summer wonderland and made me so peaceful to walk through.

Best coffee or tea?
Everywhere. Finnish coffee is STRONG and delicious. The French press I make every morning hits the spot.

Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Ravintola Sea Horse was amazing. Such lovely food and drink. The salmon soup (which is very Finnish) was really delicious, but I also do love a reindeer pizza with blue cheese at the local pubs - another Finnish classic.

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An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
Sauna. Everywhere there are saunas, in peoples’ homes, at AirBnbs, the hotels, publicly… It's wonderful to relax and repeat this very common Finnish cultural practice.

Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
See above!

How did you find accommodation?
My producer booked it! We are in a long-term hotel stay with kitchenettes, so it’s very comfortable and conveniently located just outside of the busy city centre. We have grocery stores, restaurants, bars, everything at our footsteps. And our second venue is an eight-minute walk.

What’s the most important thing when finding accommodation as a singer?
Convenience, all the things you’d need for a long-term stay, cost-effective, safe, comfortable.

Have you had a chance to explore galleries or museums?
Not yet… and probably not this time. 

Is there anything else you'd recommend?
Moose and reindeer are common things to find on the menu here (which I haven’t tried yet, except reindeer in small amounts crumbled on top of a pizza like bacon bits), but also lots of different types of fish. I had muikku (vendace), which are small fish, usually served deep fried and you can eat the whole thing: bones, tail, head, fins. It reminded me of my childhood eating whole tiny dried fish, and I love trying new cultural norms and traditions, tasty ones and ones that can also push me out of my comfort zone.