While we were having an adventure in Berlin we took one afternoon to sit down with a very charming lady: the Finnish opera singer Riikka Hakola. Riikka is originally from Finland, but currently living in Berlin with her family.
Riikka Hakola is a soprano who has done a great international career. She started out as a young girl, graduated from Finnish music school Sibelius academy, and has worked in many projects ever since all around the world. She has performed for example in Helsinki Finnish National Opera, In New York at Metropolitan Opera, and also has she been performing in various exotic locations. In New York she was performing in War & Peace opera with Anna Netrebko, who is one of the leading stars in Opera industry. Riikka told us a lot of stories about living life in New York, which many of them made us laugh. Riikka has performed a wide range of different operas, which include many classics such as Violetta, Anna Bolena, Donna Anna and Tosca.
We asked Riikka`s opinion about the industry and how she sees that we future Culture Export Managers would fit into industry. This was a question that we asked from everybody we met in Berlin. And the answer was every time the same: there is plenty of work for us, the industry needs people with enthusiasms and passion, but it will not be an easy road. Like every cultural field, also opera has faced some difficulties in the past years. But obviously CEM students are up for a challenge.
We also asked from Riikka how she takes care of her health, after all voice is the biggest tool she has. Her answer was really down-to-earth and practical. She told us that she just simply tries to keep her in good shape, and tries to avoid overreaction like sleeping in oxycen tanks or avoiding speaking days before shows.
Riikka was really fascinating persona and time just flied by when talking to her, and unfortunately too soon we had to already rush into our next meeting… But hey, did I already mention where we met her for lunch? In the finest department store there is in Berlin (and also oldest: KaDeWe was opened in 1907). We had lunch in the top floor, we there was an incredible restaurant with breath taking views.
Great day, great people and good memories from Berlin!
Text by Senja Hämäläinen
Pictures by Naomi Zino & Päivi Kettunen
Culture Export Management 