# Jaakko Kuusisto: Koirien Kalevala (The Canine Kalevala) - A Family Opera in One Act

> Jaakko Kuusisto: Koirien Kalevala (The Canine Kalevala) - A Family Opera in One Act – Toni Wahlström, Jukka…. Ondine ODV 4007, DVD Video, released November…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4007

- **Composer:** Jaakko Kuusisto
- **Work(s):** Koirien Kalevala (The Canine Kalevala) - A Family Opera in One Act
- **Performers:** Toni Wahlström, Lemminkäinen (a cat); Jukka Romu, Väinämöinen (a dog); Juha Hostikka, Ilmarinen (a dog); Eija Ahvo, Lemminkäinen's mother; Tiina Sinkkonen, Louhi (a wolf); Mari Palo, tytti; Sami Vartiainen, Mr. Clutterbuck; The Canine Kalevala Choir; Kuopio Symphony Orchestra; Jaakko Kuusisto, conductor; watch YouTube trailer
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODV 4007
- **Format:** DVD Video
- **Release date:** 1 November 2008
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195040072
- **Tracks:** 9, total 69:00
- **Genres:** Children, Opera

## Track listing

**Jaakko Kuusisto**

- *Koirien Kalevala · The Canine Kalevala*
1. Prologue & Scene 1 (11:40)
2. Scene 2 (13:53)
3. Scene 3 (14:09)
4. Scene 4 (7:07)
5. Scene 5 (5:11)
6. Scene 6 (6:22)
7. Scene 7 (3:57)
8. Finale (4:29)
9. Credits (2:12)

## About this recording

...based on the popular Finnish children\

This DVD Video features the one-act family opera Koirien Kalevala ("The Canine Kalevala") by Finnish composer-conductor Jaakko Kuusisto. The libretto by Sami Parkkinen is based on the same named book by Mauri Kunnas (official website) who in 1992 wrote an adaptation for children of the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Mauri Kunnas's children's books have been translated into 23 languages with over 5,5 million copies sold.

Jaakko Kuusisto: "Koirien Kalevala is probably one of the most popular Finnish children's books of all time, and with good reason. The wonderful insight of Mauri Kunnas in linking the Finnish national epic to his lovable dog characters appeals not only to children but to their parents too. And this is not the Kalevala, um, gone to the dogs - instead, the story is exactly like in the original, put across in an easily understandable way. Sami Parkkinen fashioned an opera libretto out of the version by Kunnas, keeping all the essential elements. The sets and costumes of the production featured on this disc also draw heavily on the visual world of Kunnas, and as such look very familiar to anyone who has ever read the book."

This DVD recording was made from live performances in July 2007 at the Savonlinna Opera Festival, where The Canine Kalevala had been premièred three years earlier to critical acclaim. Jaakko Kuusisto conducts a cast of known Finnish actors and singers. The production is staged by Minna Vainikainen and designed by Tarja Väätänen (sets), Riitta Röpelinen (costumes) and Max Wikström (lighting).

This DVD release was made in co-production with the Savonlinna Opera Festival. It includes full English subtitles and booklet notes in English and Finnish.

## Features

1 DVD Video (PAL all regions; 16:9; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround / 2.0 Stereo); menu in Finnish/English; subtitles in English; booklet with liner notes, written by the composer, and synopsis in Finnish and English

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](http://www.naxosdirect.fi/Koirien-Kalevala-The-Canine-Kalevala/title/ODV%204007/)

## Related pages

- [Jaakko Kuusisto (1974-)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/kuusisto-jaakko.md)
- [Toni Wahlström, vocalist](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/wahlstr-m-toni.md)
- [Jukka Romu, bass](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/romu-jukka.md)
- [Juha Hostikka, tenor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/hostikka-juha.md)
- [Eija Ahvo, vocalist](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/ahvo-eija.md)
- [Tiina Sinkkonen, alto](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/sinkkonen-tiina.md)
- [Mari Palo, soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/palo-mari.md)
- [Sami Vartiainen, vocalist](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/vartiainen-sami.md)
- [Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kuopio-symphony-orchestra.md)

## Also recommended

- [Malmsténin Aapinen. Rakkaimmat lastenlaulut: (Children Songs by Georg Malmstén)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1119-2.md): Matti Salminen, vocalist · Eija Ahvo, vocalist · Thelma Romu, vocalist · Kameleonttikuoro · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Jyri Nissilä, conductor (ODE 1119-2, 2008)
- [Jukka Linkola: Hui kauhistus! (One Spooky Night) - A Family Opera in One Act](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4006.md): Jukka Romu, papa · Toni Wahlström, The Bogeyman · Mari Palo, Miss Sips (The Maid in the Castle) · Juha Hostikka, The Pirate Chief · Petteri Falck, Count Vampire · Angelika Klas, Witch Snaggletooth (Countess Alma) · Leena Liimatainen, The Witch's Broom (Vampire Ally) · Sami Vartiainen, Mr. Clutterbuck · One Spooky Night Choir · Kuopio Symphony Orchestra · Jukka Linkola, conductor (ODV 4006, 2009)