Conductor
Kaapo Ijas

"Kaikista luontevin ja teknisesti monipuolisin oli suomalainen Kaapo Ijas, joka johti Aïdan neljännen näytöksen. Hän on selvästi hienon uran alussa."

"Of them all, the most effortless and technically most versatile was the finn Kaapo Ijas who conducted the fourth act of Aïda – and he is clearly in the beginning of a big carreer."

Walter Dobner, Die Presse

Kapellimestari Kaapo Ijas (s.1988) on koko elämänsä ajan omistautunut intohimoisesti musiikille. Ijaksen laaja-alainen musiikkihistoria näkyy ja kuuluu ennakkoluulottomuutena ja idearikkautena hänen johtamissaan produktioissa. Hän rakastaa erityisesti oopperan draamaa, musiikin ja teatterin saumatonta liittoa ja suurten tuotantojen yhteisöllisyyttä. Soittamisen ja säveltämisen lisäksi Ijas on aina ollut kiinnostunut esiintymisestä ja ilmaisutaiteesta sekä ryhmädynamiikan taianomaisuudesta, Ijaksen omin sanoin: “musiikin ja taiteen hengittämisestä yhdessä muiden kanssa”. 

Ijas on debytoinut kapellimestarina menestyksekkäästi useiden maineikkaiden orkestereiden, kuten Suomen Radion Sinfoniaorkesterin, Turun Filharmonisen Orkesterin, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’n sekä Puolan Radion Sinfoniaorkesterin (NOSPR) kanssa. Kaudella 2024-25 luvassa on mm. paluu Wienin Volksoperiin ja debyytit  Suomen Kansallisoopperassa, Bregezin festivaaleilla ja Sinfonia Lahden kanssa.

For as long as he can remember, conductor Kaapo Ijas (*1988) has had an insatiable passion for music. Ijas’s diverse musical background shines through in the sheer breadth of his musical interests and the richness of ideas in the many concerts and productions he conducts. He has a particular affinity for the dramatic scope of opera, the seamless union of music and theatre, and the sense of community unique to large-scale productions. In addition to playing and composing, Ijas has always been interested in performance and stage arts too, and he thrives on the magic that group dynamics can bring about – in his own words, “the shared act of breathing art and music”.

Ijas has made successful debuts with many world-class orchestras including the Finnish Radio Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Turku Philharmonic, and Polish National Radio SO (NOSPR). This season Ijas will return to Volksoper Wien and conduct his debut with Sinfonia Lahti as well as at Bregenz Festspiele and the Finnish National Opera.

Musicality and clarity of his gestures, operatic and dramatic instinct, exciting interpretations, and his compassionate yet precise leadership are quickly gaining the Finnish conductor Kaapo Ijas an international reputation. 


By all accounts, Ijas has an exciting career development going on, and it can be both seen and heard that his main interest lies in the domain of opera. Both the gestures, with a sensitive vocal accompaniment and an expressive phrasing left hand, as well as the tendency to instill a distinctly dramatic dimension in the musical events spoke of clear operatic instincts. So it was also in Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, which had an extra emotional golden shine in Ijas's hands.”

(Mats Liljeroos/Huvustadsbladet)

Having had a particular affinity for opera, while feeling equally at home in the symphonic setting, Ijas has already established a fruitful relationship with many orchestras and opera houses, such as the Finnish National Opera, Volksoper Wien, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic, Montpellier Opera Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Jyväskylä Sinfonia.  

This coming season Ijas makes his debut at Bregenz Festspiele conducting Rossini's La Cenerentola, and in November 2025 he conducts the Finnish premiere of Ellen Reids opera p r i s m (Ooppera Skaala, Aleksanterin teatteri, Helsinki). 2025-26 he also debuts with Helsinki Philharmonic, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, and returns to Finnish Radio Orchestra as well as Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Ijas is a versatile musician with a diverse background. His musical journey began with clarinet and composition, and he now regularly sings tenor in professional choirs such as the Helsinki Chamber Choir. He has deep respect and interest towards musical cultures and genres besides classical music including i.a. folk and arabic music.  Since spring 2024 Kaapo is board member and conducting partner in Ooppera Skaala and the Artistic leader of VocalEspoo-festival.


"The most effortless and technically most versatile was the Finn Kaapo Ijas who conducted the fourth act of Aïda – and he is clearly in the beginning of a big career."

(Walter Dobner/Die Presse)

In 2019, Ijas was appointed to the position of Junior Fellow in Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. During the course of this two-year position in England, he also completed an International Artist Diploma.

Before the position, has studied conducting at Kungliga Musikhögskolan Stockholm (master’s degree), Sibelius Academy (bachelor’s degree), and Zürcher Hochschule für Künste, as well as participating in international masterclasses around the world. His teachers and mentors during his studies include Riccardo Muti, Johannes Schlaefli, Sir Mark Elder, Jaap van Zweden, David Zinman, Neeme and Paavo Järvi, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Jorma Panula.

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Kaapo Ijaksen musikaalisen selkeä ja draamantajuinen elekieli, tulkintojen orgaaninen ennakkoluulottomuus sekä lempeän tarkka työskentely ovat herättäneet laajenevaa kansainvälistä huomiota.


"Ijas har av allt att döma en spännande karriärutveckling på gång och på något sätt både syns och hörs det att hans huvudsakliga intresse ligger på operans domäner. Såväl podieagerandet, med ett känsligt vokalt beledsagande och en uttrycksfullt fraserande vänsterhand, som tendensen att inympa en utpräglat dramatisk dimension i de musikaliska skeendena skvallrade om tydliga operamässiga instinkter. Så inte minst i Mozarts Jupitersymfoni, som i Ijas händer förlänades en extra emotionell guldkant.”

(Mats Liljeroos/Huvustadsbladet)


Ijaksen ’oopperavaistot’ ovat saaneet kiitosta niin Suomessa kuin ulkomaillakin, mutta hän on yhtä lailla kotonaan sinfonisen ohjelmiston parissa. Ijas on lyhyessä ajassa luonut hedelmällisiä suhteita useisiin orkestereihin ja oopperataloihin joihin kuuluu mm. Suomen Kansallisooppera, Volksoper Wien, Radion Sinfoniaorkesteri, Sinfonia Lahti, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Puolan Radion Sinfoniaorkesteri (NOSPR), Turun ilharmoninen orkesteri ja Jyväskylä Sinfonia.

Tulevalla kaudella Ijas tekee debyyttinsä Bregenzin oopperafestivaaleilla johtaen Rossinin La Cenerentola-oopperan, ja syksyllä 2025 hänen johtamanaan saa Suomen ensiesityksen Ellen Reidin ooppera p r i s m (Ooppera Skaala, Aleksanterin teatteri). 2025-26 Ijas tekee debyyttinsä Helsingin Kaupunginorkesterin ja Keskipohjanmaan kamariorkesterin kanssa ja palaa Radion Sinfoniaorkesterin ja Liverpool Philharmonicin eteen.

Klarinetistina ja säveltäjänä aloittanut Ijas on monipuolinen ja laaja-alainen muusikko. Vahvan klassisen taustan lisäksi hänellä on palava kiinnostus ja kunnioitus länsimaisen taidemusiikin ulkopuolisiin genreihin. Johtamisen lisäksi hän laulaa ammattilaiskuoroissa kuten Helsingin Kamarikuoro ja Sibelius-Akatemian Vokaaliyhtye. Hän on Ooppera Skaalan hallituksen kapellimestarijäsen ja vuodesta 2025 VocalEspoon taiteellinen johtaja.


”Kaikista [mestarikussin osallistujista] luontevin ja teknisesti monipuolisin oli suomalainen Kaapo Ijas, joka johti Aïdan neljännen näytöksen – hän on selvästi loistavan uran alussa.”

(Walter Dobner/Die Presse)

Vuonna 2019 Ijas valittiin Manchesterin RNCM-musiikkikorkeakoulun Junior Fellow in Conducting-toimeen. Tämän kaksivuotisen pestin aikana, hän suoritti myös Internation Artist Diploma-tutkinnon. Tätä ennen hän on opiskellut orkesterinjohtoa Tukholman Kuninkaallisessa Musiikkikorkeakoulussa, Sibelius-Akatemiassa sekä Zürichin Taidekorkeakoulussa (ZHdK), ja on lisäksi osallistunut useille kansainvälisille mestarikursseille ympäri maailmaa. Hänen tärkeimpiin opettajiinsa kuuluu mm. Riccardo Muti, Johannes Schlaefli, Jaap van Zweden, David Zinman, Neeme ja Paavo Järvi, Esa-Pekka Salonen, ja Jorma Panula.

Lataa CV

Season 2024-25

3/11/2024

Vaasa church
Vaasa City Orchestra


Mozart: Overture to Don Giovanni
Barber: Knoxville 1915
Helena Juntunen, soprano
Gluck: Scenes from the ballet Don Juan
Strauss: Don Juan


Read more!

22/11/2024 - 4/1/2025

Finnish National Opera
Pohjalaisia


Leevi Madetoja’s (1887–1947) The Ostrobothnians (”Pohjalaisia”) is often called Finland’s national opera, and rightly so. It’s a story about persistence, human rights, and freedom. Pohjalaisia was first performed in 1924. A century later, it reminds us of the timeless nature of stories that stir the human soul. The melodic music of the opera appeals to the emotions with its wistful undertones.

Conductor: Kaapo Ijas
Direction: Paavo Westerberg

In the cast: Jukka Rasilainen, Ville Rusanen, Jussi Vänttinen, Johanna Lehesvuori, Maria Turunen, Iida Antola, Johanna Nylund, Markus Nykänen, Johannes Vatjus, Päivi Nisula, Ann-Marie Walsh, Tuomas Pursio, and Niklas Spångberg among others.

Performances:
22.11., 27.11., 29.11., 3.12., 5.12., 10.12, 12.12, 14.12, 17.12., 19.12., 2.1., and 4.1.

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31/12/2024

Joensuu City Orchestra
New Years concert


Viennese concert with Joensuu City Orchestra at Karelia-hall 18.00.

More info soon!

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10/1/2025

Sinfonia Lahti
Wienin viemää


New Year concerts, televised from the Musikverein in Vienna all over the world, have become a tradition in Finland and elsewhere. To celebrate the beginning of the year, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra turns the page on the calendar with light, twirling steps. The marches, polkas, waltzes and other classics that mark the Strauss dynasty’s more carefree life officially usher in 2025.

Kaapo Ijas, conductor
Silja Aalto, soprano
Ville Rusanen, baritone

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19/4/2025

Volksoper Wien
Lass Uns die Welt vergessen


A play with music by Theu Boermans and Keren Kagarlitsky.

Operetta has always been an escape from everyday life into a dream world. But what if what is happening in the world is so terrible that it can no longer be forgotten? In the first months of 1938, current political life intrudes into the Volksoper during rehearsals for the operetta Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau. What do intolerance, discrimination and fascism do to the staff of the Volksoper?

Read more >>

29/4/2025

Volksoper Wien
Lass Uns die Welt vergessen


A play with music by Theu Boermans and Keren Kagarlitsky.

Operetta has always been an escape from everyday life into a dream world. But what if what is happening in the world is so terrible that it can no longer be forgotten? In the first months of 1938, current political life intrudes into the Volksoper during rehearsals for the operetta Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau. What do intolerance, discrimination and fascism do to the staff of the Volksoper?

Read more >>

4/5/2025

Volksoper, Wien
Das verzauberte Schwein


A musical fairy tale by Jonathan Dove

In German language
When King Hildebrand sets out to defend his fairy tale kingdom, his three daughters are left behind. Behind the door of a forbidden room, they discover the Book of Fate. The book prophesies the desired princes for two of the princesses, but for the youngest princess, it predicts marriage to a pig! However, it quickly becomes clear: the grunting, mud-loving creature is an enchanted prince! Brave and self-assured, the princess sets out on a journey around the world, fearing no danger to free her beloved from his curse. Along the way, she learns much about love, friendship, the moon, witches, and of course, pigs!

With his opera composed in 2006, Jonathan Dove has created a fast-paced, humorous, and poetic piece of musical theater for the whole family.

Recommended from 6 years

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6/5/2025

Volksoper, Wien
Das verzauberte Schwein


A musical fairy tale by Jonathan Dove

In German language
When King Hildebrand sets out to defend his fairy tale kingdom, his three daughters are left behind. Behind the door of a forbidden room, they discover the Book of Fate. The book prophesies the desired princes for two of the princesses, but for the youngest princess, it predicts marriage to a pig! However, it quickly becomes clear: the grunting, mud-loving creature is an enchanted prince! Brave and self-assured, the princess sets out on a journey around the world, fearing no danger to free her beloved from his curse. Along the way, she learns much about love, friendship, the moon, witches, and of course, pigs!

With his opera composed in 2006, Jonathan Dove has created a fast-paced, humorous, and poetic piece of musical theater for the whole family.

Recommended from 6 years

Read more >>

7/5/2025

Volksoper, Wien
Das verzauberte Schwein


A musical fairy tale by Jonathan Dove

In German language
When King Hildebrand sets out to defend his fairy tale kingdom, his three daughters are left behind. Behind the door of a forbidden room, they discover the Book of Fate. The book prophesies the desired princes for two of the princesses, but for the youngest princess, it predicts marriage to a pig! However, it quickly becomes clear: the grunting, mud-loving creature is an enchanted prince! Brave and self-assured, the princess sets out on a journey around the world, fearing no danger to free her beloved from his curse. Along the way, she learns much about love, friendship, the moon, witches, and of course, pigs!

With his opera composed in 2006, Jonathan Dove has created a fast-paced, humorous, and poetic piece of musical theater for the whole family.

Recommended from 6 years

Read more >>

31/5/2025

Volksoper Wien
Lass Uns die Welt vergessen


A play with music by Theu Boermans and Keren Kagarlitsky.

Operetta has always been an escape from everyday life into a dream world. But what if what is happening in the world is so terrible that it can no longer be forgotten? In the first months of 1938, current political life intrudes into the Volksoper during rehearsals for the operetta Gruß und Kuss aus der Wachau. What do intolerance, discrimination and fascism do to the staff of the Volksoper?

Read more >>

12/8/2025 - 16/8/2025

Bregenzer Festspiele
Rossini: La Cenerentola


Bregenzer Festpiele Opernstudio production of Rossini's La Cenerentola performed at Theater am Kornmarkt with Symphonieorkester Vorarlberg.

Performances: 12.8., 13.8., 15.8. and 16.8.

Conductor: Kaapo Ijas
Direction: Amy Lane

In the cast: Aaron Godfrey-Mayes, Josef Jeongmeen Ahn, Ferhat Baday, Altana Sanz, Anja Mittermüller, Jingjing Xu, Lobel Braun.

Read more!

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Media

Photo: Antti Kokkola
Photo: Antti Kokkola
Photo: Antti Kokkola
Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy 2017
Photo: Arne Hyckenberg
Photo: Antti Kokkola
Photo: Antti Kokkola
Photo: Antti Kokkola
Photo: Antti Kokkola

For the full size photos, please contact kaapo.ijas @ gmail.com

Contact

Kaapo is managed by Fazer Artists' Management.
www.fazerartists.fi

Aino Turtiainen-Visala
+358 50 3364768
aino.turtiainen@fazerartists.fi

Kaapo Ijas
+358 445260788
kaapo.ijas @ gmail.com

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Code & design by Kaapo Ijas 2022.