Ritva Auvinen has died

Ritva Auvinen had a long career as an opera singer. Photo from 2002. ESA PYYSALO

Opera singer Ritva Auvinen has died at the age of 93. Confirms the sad news For Helsingin Sanomat actor Blue Sokkato whom Auvinen was an aunt.

Mightily according to Auvinen died on Friday morning, January 2.

Auvinen, born near Sortavala in Laatoka Karelia, graduated in 1956 as a gymnastics teacher, but he eventually headed for an opera career.

During his career, Auvinen sang more than 70 opera roles in, among others, the Finnish National Opera, the Savonlinna Opera Festival and the Ilmajoki Music Festival. His breakthrough role was The last temptations Riikka character. Auvinen’s well-known roles also include, among others La Traviata purple, The Magic Flute Pamina and The Marriage of Figaro countess.

In addition, Auvinen worked as a singing teacher at, among others, the Sibelius Academy. Auvinen was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal in 1979. In 2012, he was awarded the Savonlinna Opera Festival’s Key.