Virtual HomeOpera brings opera experience to retirement home

A wonderful opera experience will be held at Foibekartano on Wednesday, May 18, as the Finnish National Opera’s Total Karita performance is projected on the screen to the delight of the manor’s elderly residents. The overall experience consists of delicious bites, a bubbly drink, beautiful flowers and bouquets, dresses and suits, well-groomed looks and a red carpet.

Jos ikäihminen ei pääse oopperaan, tuodaan ooppera heille kotiin – virtuaalinen HomeOpera esteettömien kulttuurielämysten edelläkävijänä

13.5.2022

News article

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences will organize an experiential streaming evening for the elderly on Wednesday, May 18, from 4 pm to 9 pm in cooperation with Foibekartano in Asola, Vantaa.

At the event, the elderly residents of the manor community will be able to enjoy a wonderful opera experience, when the Total Karita, an opera performance about Karita Mattila's life, is projected on the wall of the main building's hall.

The performance will be broadcast by the Stage 24 video service live from the Finnish National Opera. Media representatives are more than welcome to join the event.

However, we hope that you will let us know in advance if you would like to participate.

Rich and authentic opera experience

The goal of the project, called HomeOpera, is to create a rich and authentic opera experience for residents of Fobeikartano. The overall experience consists of delicious bites, a bubbly drink, beautiful flowers and bouquets, dresses and suits, well-groomed looks and a red carpet.

Event producer Vintage Events HKI, florist PD Floral and champagne expert Jukka Sinivirta are also taking part in organizing the event. Pianist Tomi Vekki is responsible for creating the atmosphere. The ceremony master of the evening will be dance teacher Marko Keränen, and Hilkka Karvinen, a resident of the Foibekartano will give a welcome speech.

In addition to the Total Karita opera performance, there are other things to do at the event.

For example, a description wall decorated with antiques has been built in the manor, against which the guests can pose - perhaps with their opera friend or perhaps even with dance master Keränen himself.

Residents have been really excited about the event

According to Aarni Tuomi, a lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and the project manager of the HomeOpera project, an opera evening has been planned during spring.

Fobeikartano has hosted a total of five different workshops with the participation of both residents and companies.

Tuomi says that especially the residents have been really excited about the event. Fobeikartano has invested a great deal in sound and picture quality.

— Residents have been involved in testing to find the optimal volume and taste the catering services. Some of the residents have also participated in the decoration workshops. It feels good to be able to organize an opera experience at their home, he says.