Sola was also one of
the founder of the innish Opera. Sola had his first stage experience at he age
of 15 in the choir and drama club of the Kilpi Temperance Society. Sola was
soon invited to participate in other stage activities in a semi-professional
activity capacity. In 1903 the author Jalmari Finne asked him to join a
theatrical company, he was founding in Viborg. This company presented plays,
operettas and operas. After a near fiasco as Canio with John Forsell as Tonio,
Sola decided he needed more training. Sola studied with Ettore Gandolfi in
Berlin in1908. Sola debuted in a concert in Helsinki on December 9th 1908 with
Oskar Merikanto at the piano. Sola continued his studies in Berlin (1909-10),
Paris (1910) and Milano (1911). In 1911, Sola founded with Merikanto, Eino
Rautavaara, and William Hammar the first regular Opera Company in Finland. The
opening night was on October 2nd 1911 with Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana.
Sola sang both tenor roles. In 1916, Sola spent time in prison for his role in
the underground independence movement. The Russian revolution got him out of
jail. From 1920, Sola held with the company regular positions both as tenor and
stage director until his retirement in 1949. Sola appeared in more than 100
operas and operettas. Sola also continued his career as concert singer,
promoting the songs of Merikanto, Kuula and Sibelius. Sola appeared in hundreds
of recitals and made four tours of the United States. Sola started recording in
1909 with Pathé. In 1919, Sola recorded with the Gramophone Company. He made
close to 100 sides with them. During his visits in the US, Sola recorded with
Columbia and Victor. In 1944, Sola recorded for the last time with the Rytmi
label. Sola recorded an aria of the opera Nummisuutarit by Emil Kauppi. The
premiere of that work in was of a fiasco. Apparently Kauppi disappeared forever
as a result. He is thought to have drowned himself.
Chronology
of some appearances
Finnish National Opera
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
Gramophone, Helsinki 1913-01-24
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba 2-282270 4743ab
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Viva il vino 2-282271 4745ab
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