Professor Irma Rewell founded the Vaasa Opera in 1956. Since then, more than 90 operas have been staged in Vaasa, and the choir has had a central role in the work right from the start. Today, the choir consists of 40 singers, and, when needed, it can also be divided into smaller ensembles. In the new opera Tove Teuvalla, 22 singers participate in the choir.

The main focus of the choir today is participating in the Vaasa city theatre opera productions, and other forms of cooperation with the theatre and other organisations. The choir has also performed large sacred choral works and arranged its own concerts. Through the years, the choir has been an important platform for young, emerging opera singers. This rich tradition is cherished and kept alive in the Vaasa Opera Society. Irma Rewell was known both in Finland and abroad for having a particularly good ear in recognising new talent. Soprano Camilla Nylund, bass Juha Uusitalo, tenor Tom Nyman, coloratura soprano Anna-Kristiina Kaappola and soprano Helena Juntunen are a few examples of singers who began their careers in Vaasa.