Talvela, Martti (Olavi) (1935–1989)

Finnish bass. He made his debut in Stockholm in 1961, as the Commendatore. He appeared at Bayreuth 1962–70, as Hunding, Hagen, Daland, and Marke. Following his 1968 debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, as the Grand Inquisitor, he returned in 1974 as Boris Godunov, in the original version of Mussorgsky's opera. At Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London he was admired in the early 1970s as Hagen, Dosifey, and Gurnemanz. From 1972 he was artistic director of the summer Savonlinna Festival, Finland, and took part in the first performances of works by Kokkonen and Sallinen there. Other roles included Sarastro and King Henry.