“King Lear is about power. The story shows us that nobody has so much power that it can’t be taken away in a minute.”

I first met Aulis Sallinen in 1966 when he was the general manager of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. We got to know each other better during his opera The Horseman (Ratsumies) in 1975. Since that I’ve followed his work closely.

King Lear is a very interesting topic and when General Director Jussi Raiskinen from the Finnish National Opera asked me to join the so-called “Millenium Project” – and especially when I heard what artists were involved (Jorma Hynninen, Lilli Paasikivi etc) – it was very easy for me to say “yes”.

I was familiar with the story of King Lear. I’ve seen many theatrical performances and movies on the subject. Reimann’s Lear in Munich made a big impression at the time. However, my actual work always begins with a libretto and on that basis I begin work on a role. The vision of the composer, director and conductor is essential in that progress. That cooperation is my most important tool.

Aulis knew my voice and its abilities already (The Horseman served as a good basis). He...