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Finnish National Opera

Bass-baritone (+2)

Jukka Rasilainen

Erkki Harri

Orchestra

Finnish National Opera Orchestra

Stage director

Paavo Westerberg

Set designer

Set designer (+1)

Erlend Birkeland

Lighting designer

Ellen Ruge

Costume designer

Costume designer (+3)

Maria Geber

Choreographer

Klevis Elmazaj

Soprano (+1)

Emma Mustaniemi

First shepherd girl

Soprano

Elisaveta Rimkevitch

Second shepherd girl

Conductor

Conductor (+1)

Kaapo Ijas

Choreographer (+4)

Joni Österlund

Dancer

Baritone (+3)

Ville Rusanen

Jussi Harri

Baritone (+1)

Jussi Vänttinen

Johanna Lehesvuori

Maija Harri

Maria Turunen

Soprano (+2)

Iida Antola

Liisa

Johanna Nylund

Tenor (+1)

Markus Nykänen

Antti Hanka

Tenor

Johannes Vatjus

Päivi Nisula

Kaisa

Mezzo-soprano

Ann-Marie Walsh

Tenor (+2)

Aki Alamikkotervo

Salttu

Joonas Eloranta

Mika Pohjonen

Kaappo

Ilkka Hämäläinen

Bass (+1)

Marko Nykänen

Karjanmaan Köysti

Aapo Kilpelä

Roland Liiv

Kriivari

Yusniel Estrada

Bass (+2)

Sampo Haapaniemi

Siltavouti

Visa Kohva

Baritone (+2)

Aarne Pelkonen

Herastuomari

Bass-baritone (+4)

Tuomas Pursio

Vallesmanni

Finland, the world’s happiest country, has also been dubbed the land of thousands of sad songs: violence, alcoholism and inequality lurk in the shadows of the Nordic welfare society.

Leevi Madetoja’s (1887–1947) The Ostrobothnians (”Pohjalaisia”) is often called Finland’s national opera, and rightly so. It’s a story about persistence, human rights, and freedom. Pohjalaisia was first performed in 1924. A century later, it reminds us of the timeless nature of stories that stir the human soul. The melodic music of the opera appeals to the emotions with its wistful undertones.

Now, The Ostrobothnians has been reinterpreted by some of Finland’s leading creatives. In his first opera, director Paavo Westerberg moves the story forward with cinematic impact. The set design is reminiscent of classic Westerns, in the style of the Coen brothers.

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