# Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano

> Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano – 6 recordings on Ondine. Johanna Rusanen-Kartano began her vocal studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and undertook…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/rusanen-kartano-johanna

- **Role:** soprano
- **Photo:** © Heikki Tuuli

## Biography

Johanna Rusanen-Kartano began her vocal studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and undertook additional training in Berlin and Vienna. In 1995, she won the Timo Mustakallio Singing Competition and the Lappeenranta National Singing Competition in 1996. Johanna Rusanen-Kartano was awarded a scholarship by the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1998-2000, and in 2001 she won the Karita Mattila prize.

Rusanen-Kartano's operatic career was launched at the Kuopio Opera in 1994, and since then she has performed regularly at the Savonlinna Opera Festival, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Finnish National Opera, Vantaa Opera, Opera Cava and Oulu Opera. Her roles have included Marie in Wozzeck, Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, Marguerite in Faust, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Ortlinde in Die Walküre, the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Mimi in La Bohème, the High Priestess in Aida and Amelia in Un ballo in maschera. She enraptured audiences in her last role as Tatiana in Central Finland Regional Opera's production of Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin in January 2007.

Johanna Rusanen-Kartano has gained a reputation as an interpreter of strong female roles in Finnish operas. She is remembered for her performance of the main female role in Tuomas Kantelinen's opera Paavo Suuri at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and for the role of Anna in Aulis Sallinen's opera Ratsumies (the Horseman), which was performed at the Savonlinna Opera Festival in 2005–2006.

Johanna Rusanen-Kartano is in demand as an orchestral and oratorio soloist, and she has also given lied concerts in Japan, Chile, the USA and North Korea, in addition to many European countries. Her versatile repertoire also includes lighter music, such as operetta, musical and film music, as well as jazz standards.

## Discography on Ondine (6)

- [Jean Sibelius: Sibelius and the Kalevala · (Digital Album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1460-2.md): Various (ODE 1460-2, 2024)
- [Jean Sibelius: Kullervo (ODE 1338-5)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1338-5.md): Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano · Ville Rusanen, baritone · Estonian National Male Choir · The Polytech Choir · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Hannu Lintu, conductor (ODE 1338-5, 2019)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Kaivos (The Mine) - Opera in Three Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1174-2.md): Simon, Hannu Niemelä · Ira, Johanna Rusanen-Kartano · Commissar, Jorma Hynninen · Priest, Jaakko Kortekangas · Marko, Mati Turi · Vanha, Petri Pussila · A miner, Tuomas Katajala · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Hannu Lintu, conductor (ODE 1174-2, 2011)
- [Valkoiset ruusut. Musiikkia Suomi-filmeistä: (Music from Finnish motion pictures)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1136-2.md): Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano · Tommi Hakala, baritone · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · John Storgårds, conductor (ODE 1136-2, 2008)
- [Tuo armon valkokyyhky. Tunnelmallisen joulun juhla (Christmas Carols)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-985-2.md): Johanna Rusanen, soprano · Finnish Radio Chamber Choir · Timo Nuoranne, conductor (ODE 985-2, 2001)
- [Joulun tähdet. Star Christmas: featuring Karita Mattila · Soile Isokoski · Lilli Paasikivi · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano · Jorma Hynninen · Matti Salminen](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1138-2.md): Pertti Pekkanen, conductor · Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo-soprano · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Tapiola Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Matti Salminen, bass · Helsinki Chamber Choir · Timo Nuoranne, conductor · YL Male Voice Choir · Kyösti Haatanen, conductor · Jorma Panula, conductor · Ulf Söderblom, conductor · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Jorma Hynninen, baritone · The Musica Choir of Jyväskylä · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Karita Mattila, soprano · Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano (ODE 1138-2, 2008)

## Links

- [Fantastico Music Management](http://www.fantasticomusic.fi/index.phtml/art/6342/t/articles1)
- [Operabase](http://www.operabase.com/listart.cgi?lang=en&name=Rusanen,%20Johanna)