Шаблон:Infobox personAlfons Almi (Шаблон:NeAlm, until 1935;[1] 20 August 1904 — 22 February 1991)[2] was a Finnish opera singer and administrator. He has been described as the 'father of Finnish opera'.[3]
He later moved into management, first as the Finance Manager from 1952, then progressing to general management, and eventually reaching the post of Director General from 1966 to 1971.[4] He also sat on the company's supervisory council and board of directors from 1940 to 1971.[4][5]
One of his main achievements was the establishment of the National Opera's own in-house orchestra.[5] He also worked tirelessly towards the development of the National Opera's new, purpose-built premises.[5][6][1]
In 1983, Almi was awarded the annual Eskon Puumerkki prize by the Шаблон:Ill.[6]
Personal life
Alfons Alm was born to a working-class family in Helsinki.[4][8] Both his parents had died by the time he was 10, leaving Alm to look after his siblings.[8]
Almi studied agriculture and dairy production, and initially worked in management roles in the dairy industry, before following his true vocation and retraining as a singer.[8][4][1]
Almi served as a junior officer in the Continuation War meritoriously,[8] and was decorated with multiple medals.[4]
He was married twice, first to Aini Шаблон:Nee Lehtinen from 1931 to 1951, and then to the ballet dancer and Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet, Doris Laine, from 1952 until his death.[4] He had one child from each of his marriages.[4] His daughter, Heidi, from his second marriage, works in a management role at the National Opera and Ballet, following in her parents' footsteps.[3]
