Einojuhani Rautavaara
Various Soloists
Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Mikko Franck, conductor
Libretto and music by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1989-90)
The cast includes:
Anna-Kristiina Kaappola: Noora
Raija Regnell: Riina
Mia Huhta: Eleanor
Helena Juntunen: Irene
Ulla Raiskio: Victoria von Sonnig
Jukka Romu: John von Sonnig
Tuomas Katajala: Victor von Sonnig
Tommi Hakala: Gregor
Markus Nieminen: Prof. Alessandro Riccioni
Petri Bäckström: Maximilian Holstein
2 CDs; booklet with liner notes, written by the composer, and synopsis in English, German, French and Finnish, and the libretto in the original Finnish and in English and German
The performances, vocal and instrumental, are beyond criticism, and with only a few longueurs, the opera is very effective (...) in its own way quite beautiful and touching. It certainly won't remind you of anything else - Rautavaara has his own voice, and his own persuasive sensibility.
Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com
Rautavaara could hardly have wished for a finer cast. (...) The orchestral playing and engineering are also exemplary standard, and Mikko Franck's perceptive performance makes the best possible case for this fascinating score. Enthusiastically recommended.
Julian Haylock, International Record Review, February 2004
The Oulu Symphony Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in Northern Finland and the most northerly in the European Union. Formed in 1937, it was granted the right to call itself the Oulu City Orchestra in 1954 and was adopted by the City in 1961. Its present name dates from 2005.
Mikko Franck began to play the violin at the age of five and entered Helsinki's Sibelius Academy in 1992, subsequently studying in New York, Israel and Sweden.
Einojuhani Rautavaara
Matti Salminen, rasputin · Lilli Paasikivi, Tsarina Alix · Jorma Hynninen, Tsar Nicholas · Jyrki Anttila, Felix Yusupov · Finnish National Opera Orchestra · Finnish National Opera Chorus · Mikko Franck, conductor
Info & buyEinojuhani Rautavaara
Jorma Hynninen, Aleksis Kivi · Jyvaskylä Sinfonia · Markus Lehtinen, conductor
Info & buyEinojuhani Rautavaara
Jorma Hynninen, vincent · Finnish National Opera Chorus · Finnish National Opera Orchestra · Fuat Manchurov, conductor
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Jorma Hynninen, thomas · Peter Lindroos, Johann von Gobyn · Matti Piipponen, Mäster Styver · Sini Rautavaara, maiden · Opera Festival Chorus · Joensuu City Orchestra · Pekka Haapasalo, conductor
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