Organ Night and Aria Festival
1 June – 31 August 2017
Magic of Music and Summernights
This summer brings us many reasons to celebrate, particularly with the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the centenary of Finnish independence. These momentous events are also linked in various ways, as the seismic religious shift of 500 years ago created conditions for the emergence and growth of the Finnish national identity.
We shall launch our summer season with Kari Tikka’s opera Luther, which vividly traces the progress of the Reformation. The need to spread the Gospel in the language of the common people introduced and reinforced their collective identity as a nation.
Our summer concerts will examine the Reformation and the Finnish character from various perspectives. We increasingly need art – and especially art music – in the present era of bewildering and tempestuous change. It provides a channel for our experiences and feelings, or merely gives us a brief respite from the daily grind.
So I invite you warmly to come and enjoy the performances of fine artists on the enchanted summer evenings of our Organ Night and Aria Festival!
Erkki Korhonen, Artistic Director
Programme 2017
KARI TIKKA: LUTHER opera
Thursday 1 June at 19:30 opening night
Friday 2 June at 19:30 performance II
Thursday 8 June at 19:30 performance III
Tapiola Church
Ticket prices: EUR 25, EUR 10
To mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Organ Night and Aria Festival will host a production of Kari Tikka’s opera Luther, which has successfully toured in Finland, Germany and the USA since its global premiere in 2000. The opera relates the struggle between good and evil of Martin Luther, a small man who became the father of the Reformation. The audience may join in the performance by singing familiar Lutheran hymns.
Music by Kari Tikka
Libretto by Kari Tikka and Jussi Tapola
Directed by Juulia Tapola
Conducted by Erkki Lasonpalo
Visualisation by Juulia Tapola, Anna Kontek and Suvi Saari
Performers
Luther – Elja Puukko, baritone
Katharina von Bora – Emriikka Salonen, soprano
Satan – Aki Alamikkotervo, tenor
The monk – Hannu Jurmu, tenor
Ave von Schönfeld – Alina Koivula, soprano
Frederick the Wise – Jussi Merikanto, bass
E-ensemble
The Luther Choir
Getting to know Luther – an introduction to the opera
1, 2 and 8 June at 18.15–19.00, Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
A Finnish language discussion of Luther the man, and of the age in which he lived, considering the impact of Reformation on the development of the Finnish character and the origins of the Luther opera. Contributors will include the composer Kari Tikka and Artistic Director Erkki Korhonen. Admission free.
Produced in association with the parishes of Espoo
Luther is also produced with the kind support of:
The City of Espoo, the Diocese of Espoo, the National Ecclesiastical Board of Finland, the Municipal Guarantee Board, MuniFin and the Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
Concerts in June
TRY ME GOOD KING – THE MANY FACES OF THE REFORMATION
Thursday 15 June at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–29
A concert with Pia Freund and the Fibo Players will illuminate the contribution of the Reformation to 16th and 17th century church music in various parts of Europe. This included the replacement of Latin with the common vernacular, as exemplified by an opportunity to join in community singing of familiar Lutheran hymns. Libby Larsen’s song series Try me Good King (2016) records the last words of the wives of King Henry VIII of England (1509–1547).
Buxtehude – Byrd – des Prez – Hassler – Larsen
Pia Freund, soprano and the Fibo Players: Pauliina Fred, traverso and recorder / Louna Hosia, viola da gamba / Petteri Pitko, harpsichord and organ
MIDSUMMER SOIREE
Thursday 22 June at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
Admission free.
Come and enjoy summery melodies and sing along with the best-loved songs and summer hymns by the late evening daylight of the Finnish midsummer!
LORD I LAY ME DOWN TO REST
Thursday 29 June at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–24
This intimate concert will transport the audience through whole lifetime memories from childhood through the medium of familiar hymns and spiritual songs.
Merikanto – Kuusisto – Maasalo – Sonninen – Simojoki (et al.)
Päivi Pylvänäinen, soprano / Laura Kivikoski, piano and organ
Concerts in July
ROSES AND ROMANCE
Thursday 6 July at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–24
Brahms’ G major sonata and Regenlied, and the Irish folk song The Last Rose of Summer will foster a serene and wistful romantic summer evening ambience.
Brahms – Spohr – Ernst
Jaakko Kortekangas, baritone / Elias Nyman, violin / András Szabó organ and piano
ESPOO YOUNG ARTISTS
Thursday 13 July at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–24
Successful and talented young musicians from Espoo with a special programme to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the centenary of Finnish independence.
Bach – Händel – Sibelius
Trio Roozeman: Rebecca Roozeman, violin / Jonathan Roozeman, cello / Jan-Paul Roozeman, piano and Aurora Marthens, soprano
SUMMER EVENING STARS
Thursday 20 July at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
Ticket prices: EUR 14–29
A joint concert with global stars will provide an opportunity to enjoy a range of charismatic and virtuoso performances from Italian romanticism to American and Finnish melodies.
Sibelius – Kuula – Merikanto – Tosti – Floyd – Puccini (et al.)
Cynthia Makris, soprano / Raimo Sirkiä, tenor / Kalevi Kiviniemi, organ / Erkki Korhonen, piano
WINNERS OF THE TIMO MUSTAKALLIO SINGING COMPETITION
Thursday 27 July at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–24
The newly crowned winners of the 2017 Timo Mustakallio singing competition at Savonlinna Opera
Festival will perform in their first prize concert at Organ Night and Aria Festival.
Produced in association with Savonlinna Opera Festival and the Timo Mustakallio Foundation
Concerts in August
THE MANY COLOURS OF LOVE
Thursday 3 August at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–39
The National Opera Orchestra and soloists will interpret intoxicatingly beautiful music by Ravel, Canteloube and Sibelius in an evening of colourful music.
Sibelius – Ravel – Canteloube
Mari Palo, soprano / Aarne Pelkonen, baritone / The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera / Patrick Fournillier, conductor
In association with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet
ARIAS AND SONGS IN THE DARKENING EVENING
Thursday 10 August at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–29
Fine young soloists with a programme including arias and duets from the operas of Mozart, and some of the most beautiful songs by Sibelius, Merikanto and Kuula.
Mozart – Sibelius – Merikanto – Kuula – Madetoja
Johanna Isokoski, soprano / Kristian Lindroos, baritone / Erkki Korhonen, piano
Produced in association with the Päivi and Paavo Lipponen Fund
AIN ILOIDCA, AIN RIEMUIDCA! REFORMATION 500 and FINLAND 100
Thursday 17 August at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–29
The Lumen Valo ensemble will present a concert on the emergence of the Lutheran church music heritage, which is based on the musical theology of Luther that music is God’s gift to man. Besides the German heritage, the performance highlights the impact of the Reformation on Finnish liturgical music and its firm connection to the newly emerging written Finnish language. The concert will celebrate the centenary of Finland as an independent nation, and its rich musical heritage ranging from Sibelius to works composed for the Lumen Valo ensemble.
Luther – Schein – Scheidt – Schütz – Sibelius – Ertamo
Lumen Valo
PUBLIC SEMINAR – MEMORY AND REMEMBRANCE
Wednesday 23 August at 18.00
Sello Hall
Admission free.
The neurology of memory and the significance of music for memory
Adjunct professor of psychology Teppo Särkämö
Panel discussion
Psychologist Pirkko Lahti and pianist Seppo Hovi, hosted by Erkki Korhonen
Produced in association with the Finnish Brain Foundation
EVOLVING SONGS
Thursday 24 August at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–39
Musical reminiscences from a century of Finnish character performed by dearly loved artists. The programme will include light classical and classical light music from Merikanto to Mårtenson and negro spirituals.
Merikanto – Mårtenson – Lehtinen – Kärki
Jaakko Ryhänen, bass / Seppo Hovi, piano
CONCLUDING CONCERT – EIN FESTE BURG
Thursday 31 August at 21.00
Espoo Cathedral
EUR 14–39
In the spirit of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation the summer will climax with J.S. Bach’s splendid cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.
Tuuli Lindeberg, soprano / Katariina Heikkilä, alto / Juho Punkeri, tenor
/ Sampo Haapaniemi, bass / Tapiola Chamber Choir / Finnish Baroque Orchestra / Hannu Norjanen, conductor
TICKETS
EUR 14–39 from Lippu.fi
Ticket sales at the door begin one hour before each concert.
The ticket prices include the service fee EUR 1,50–3,50.
Seats in 2nd and 3rd price categories in Espoo Cathedral have limited visibility.
Notice: Tickets for wheel chairs, Kaikukortti tickets and sets of tickets are sold only in full-service ticket outlets and telephone service (excl. online shopping).
Discounts
Pensioners, unemployed and conscripts
- Concerts: 2 € off in the 1st and 2nd price categories
- Luther opera: no discount
Students and children under 18
- Concerts: tickets 14 € in every price category
- Luther opera: tickets 11 €
Groups minimum of 10 persons -20 %
S group Benefit: 4 € off from the ticket price when purchased beforehand
- Luther opera, June 2 and 8
- Concerts June 29th and July 13rd, seats in the 1st price category
Free ticket with Kaikukortti. When purchased at ticket outlets, a service fee 1,50 € must be paid. At the door without service fee. See more: espoo.fi/kaikukortti
Sets of tickets
Set of 3 tickets for three different concerts purchased at one time, a 10 % discount (no any other discounts).
Set of 5 tickets for five different concerts purchased at one time, a 20 % discount (no any other discounts).
BEFORE THE CONCERTS
Artist meetings at 20–20.30 in Pitäjäntupa, near the Espoo Cathedral
Presentation of the organ in Espoo Cathedral July 4th and 20th at 19.30–20, guiding by cantor Petri Koivusalo.
Café at the nearby chapel is open two hours before the concerts.
Introduction to the LUTHER opera June 1st, 2nd and 8th at 18:15-19
A Finnish language discussion of Luther the man, and of the age in which he lived, considering the impact of Reformation on the development of the Finnish character and the origins of the Luther opera. Contributors will include the composer Kari Tikka and Artistic Director Erkki Korhonen. Admission free.
Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
Buffet 34 €, reservations one week before the opera, tel. tel. 09 4375 2830
CONNECTIONS
Train and bus
It takes only 25 minutes from Helsinki city center to Espoo centre by train and only 15 minutes by bus to Tapiola. See the journey planner for routes and timetables: www.reittiopas.fi/en
Festivalbus
A festival bus after concerts to Helsinki city center via southern Espoo leaves at 22.30 from Espoo Cathedral (not June 1-8). Price: 4 € to Espoo, 6 € to Helsinki.
CONTACTS
Festival office
tel. +358 (0)45 129 5922
