Sanna Iljin

Soprano Sanna Iljin, who started her vocal studies in 2016, will sing her first main role at the Finnish National Opera in Autumn 2021. She will make her debut as Christine Daaé in the Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Her previous engagements at the Finnish National Opera include the following roles: Valencienne from Die lustige Witwe (Lehár) and Zerlina from Don Giovanni (Mozart). 

Sanna Iljin sang her professional opera debut as Frasquita from Bizet’s Carmen at the Jyväskylä Opera conducted by Ville Matvejeff in 2017. Iljin has also performed as a soloist under the baton of Mikko Franck, Patrick Fournillier and Sakari Oramo.

Iljin started her vocal studies with Hanna-Leena Haapamäki in 2016. She has also studied with Johanna Rusanen and Irina Gavrilovici.

Before starting her vocal studies Iljin studied classical piano at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki and at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Germany. Currently she is finalizing her master studies in piano at the Sibelius Academy. Iljin has performed as a piano soloist with e.g., Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra and in several music festivals such as Musikfest Berlin, Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival and Turku Music Festival.

Sanna Iljin has been rewarded as a prize winner in several singing competitions e.g., in Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition in 2017 and in Kangasniemi Singing Competition in 2018. 

Iljin’s career has been supported by grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Uusimaa Regional fund) and the Art Promotion Centre Finland. Iljin has also been chosen as a stipendiary of the Opera and Ballet foundation in 2021.