# Einojuhani Rautavaara: Thomas - Opera in Three Acts

> Einojuhani Rautavaara: Thomas - Opera in Three Acts – Jorma Hynninen, Peter Lindroos, Matti Piipponen. Ondine ODE 704-2, CD, released April 1989.

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-704-2

- **Composer:** Einojuhani Rautavaara
- **Work(s):** Thomas - Opera in Three Acts
- **Performers:** Jorma Hynninen, thomas; Peter Lindroos, Johann von Gobyn; Matti Piipponen, Mäster Styver; Sini Rautavaara, maiden; Opera Festival Chorus; Joensuu City Orchestra; Pekka Haapasalo, conductor
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODE 704-2
- **Format:** CD
- **Release date:** 1 April 1989
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195070420
- **Tracks:** 3, total 98:16
- **Genres:** Opera, Finnish contemporary

## Track listing

### CD 1

**Einojuhani Rautavaara**

- *Thomas - Opera in Three Acts*
1. Act I (44:59)

### CD 2

**Einojuhani Rautavaara**

- *Thomas - Opera in Three Acts*
1. Act II (33:20)
2. Act III (19:57)

## About this recording

This double CD contains the three-act opera Thomas by Finnish cult composer Einojuhani Rautavaara who also wrote the libretto. It tells the story of Thomas, Bishop of Finland 1230-1245 (died 1248), under whom Finland attained an independent church organization - a first attempt in Finnish history towards the nation's independance.

Rautavaara wrote the opera from 1982-1985 for the Joensuu Song Festival, dedicating it to its then Artistic Director Jorma Hynninen who performed the title role. One year after its world première, the opera was recorded live at the Joensuu Song Festival in June 1986.

The cast includes

Jorma Hynninen: Thomas, Bishop of Finland

Peter Lindroos: Johann von Gobyn, Knight of the Sword

Matti Piipponen: Mäster Styver, a merchant from Gotland

Sini Rautavaara: Maiden

Marko Putkonen: Doberanus, a Dominican

Antti Suhonen: Manhard, a Dominican

Anssi Hirvonen: Magus I

Hannu Sokka: Magus II

Jaakko Hietikko: Magus III

Anitta Juhala-Jolkkonen: Mother's voice.

This recording is the fourth in Ondine's history and was released in 1986 on LP and three years later on CD. The Finnish Broadcasting Company voted it 'Record of the Year 1986', which prompted Koch International to become Ondine's distributor for North America. Recording the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara has ever been one of Ondine's greatest successes.

## Features

2 CDs; booklet with liner notes and synopsis in English and Finnish, and the libretto in the original Finnish and in English

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODE7042OW)

## Related pages

- [Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/rautavaara-einojuhani.md)
- [Jorma Hynninen, baritone](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/hynninen-jorma.md)
- [Peter Lindroos, tenor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/lindroos-peter.md)
- [Matti Piipponen, tenor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/piipponen-matti.md)
- [Sini Rautavaara, soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/rautavaara-sini.md)
- [Opera Festival Chorus, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/opera-festival-chorus.md)
- [Joensuu City Orchestra, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/joensuu-city-orchestra.md)
- [Pekka Haapasalo, Conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/haapasalo-pekka.md)

## Also recommended

- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Vincent - Opera in Three Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-750-2.md): Jorma Hynninen, vincent · Finnish National Opera Chorus · Finnish National Opera Orchestra · Fuat Manchurov, conductor (ODE 750-2, 1990)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Aleksis Kivi - Opera in Three Acts (ODE 1000-2D)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1000-2d.md): Jorma Hynninen, Aleksis Kivi · Jyvaskylä Sinfonia · Markus Lehtinen, conductor (ODE 1000-2D, 2002)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Rasputin - Opera in Three Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4003.md): 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 (ODV 4003, 2005)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: The House of the Sun - Tragedia Buffa. Chamber Opera in Two Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1032-2d.md): Various Soloists · Oulu Symphony Orchestra · Mikko Franck, conductor (ODE 1032-2D, 2003)