Raimo Sirkiä

Raimo Sirkiä is a Finnish operatic tenor whose repertoire ranges from spinto to dramatic. Mr. Sirkia's most famous roles are Otello, Calaf, Tannhäuser, Siegmund, and Lohengrin. He has sung at the Bayreuth Festival (Lohengrin) and the Pafos Festival, Cyprus (Otello).

Life and career

Raimo was born in Helsinki, Finland on February 7, 1951. His musical education began at the age of four. He was the Finnish Master in Accordion four years running from 1960 to 1962 and 1964.

Mr. Sirkia won the prestigious Timo Mustakallio award for young opera singers in 1981.

He studied music education and voice at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland and in Rome, Italy with Maestri Gavarrini and Morelli.

He has a degree in economics from Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto, Helsinki.

Raimo Sirkia sang mainly in Germany during the years 1983 to 2001. He was the principal tenor at the Finnish National Opera from 1990 to 2006.

Mr. Sirkia has recorded several complete operas, symphonies, as well as many solo cds of opera arias, Italian songs, film music, Christmas music, and tangos.

Raimo Sirkia was the Artistic Director of the Savonlinna Opera Festival from 2002-2007. His new productions, Turandot and Lucia di Lammermoor have remained audience favorites. His commissioned opera, Olli Kortekangas’ Isän tyttö, has been taken into the repertoire of the Finnish National Opera.

Raimo Sirkia began the popular children's opera series at the festival and commissioned works from Finnish composers,

Jaakko Kuusisto - Koirien Kalevala and Jukka Linkola - Hui kauhustus.

Raimo was Artist of the Year of the Festival in 1996, a recognition of his contribution as a singer at the Festival since 1981.

Raimo was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal by the president of Finland in 2003.

Raimo Sirkia got the Savonlinna City award 2007 for his contribution for the city of Savonlinna.

Mr. Sirkia is now a vocal coach, specializing in training young tenors. He retired from the Finnish National Opera in 2006 and now sings primarily concerts all over the world.

Mr. Sirkia has two children, Katja and Tommi, who both live in Helsinki. Katja’s and her husband’s daughter, Neve, is Raimo’s first grandchild.

He is married to soprano, Cynthia Makris. Mr. Sirkia now resides in Florida, U.S.A. and in Helsinki, Finland.

Discography:

Jää mun lähellein/Serenadeja (Fazer/Warner -84/-97)

Opera Arias (Ondine -92)

Amado Mio (Ondine -94)

Mahler 8th Symphony (Chandos -94)

Valkea joulu (Ondine -96)

Lemmen Virtaa (Tonus Art -97)

Juha (Ondine -95)

Pohjalaisia (Finlandia -98)

Die Feen (Dynamic -98)