# Einojuhani Rautavaara: Aleksis Kivi - Opera in Three Acts (ODV 4009) > Einojuhani Rautavaara: Aleksis Kivi - Opera in Three Acts – Jorma Hynninen, Janne Reinikainen, Riikka Rantanen. Ondine ODV 4009, DVD Video, released March 2011. Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4009 - **Composer:** Einojuhani Rautavaara - **Work(s):** Aleksis Kivi - Opera in Three Acts - **Performers:** Jorma Hynninen, Aleksis Kivi; Janne Reinikainen, August Ahlqvist; Riikka Rantanen, charlotta; Pauliina Linnosaari, hilda; Ville Rusanen, Young Alexis; Tobias Zilliacus, J.L. Runeberg; Finnish National Opera Orchestra; Mikko Franck, conductor - **Label:** Ondine - **Catalogue no.:** ODV 4009 - **Format:** DVD Video - **Release date:** 1 March 2011 - **EAN / UPC:** 0761195040096 - **Tracks:** 2, total 119:30 - **Genres:** Opera, Finnish contemporary ## Track listing **Einojuhani Rautavaara** 1. Aleksis Kivi - Opera in Three Acts (95:45) - ** 2. The Making of ALEKSIS KIVI (feat. Rautavaara, Hynninen & Franck in interviews) (23:45) ## About this recording Coinciding with live performances at the Finnish National Opera, this DVD release pays tribute to Jorma Hynninen, at whose request this opera was written. Jorma Hynninen recently celebrated his 70th anniversary - Happy birthday, Maestro! This DVD Video features the three-act opera Aleksis Kivi (1996) by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. This release pays tribute to lead role performer Jorma Hynninen on the occasion of his 70th anniversary in 2011. Written by the composer, the libretto tells the story of Finland's national author Aleksis Kivi (1834-1872) and draws on many of Kivi's own poems and texts. Aleksis Kivi wrote the first significant novel in the Finnish language (Seitsemän veljestä / "Seven Brothers"), but during his short lifetime he suffered from moral and artistic condemnation by literary rivals. He died, insane and impoverished, at age 38. Rautavaara composed this opera from 1995-1996 for the Savonlinna Opera Festival. The commission was instigated by Jorma Hynninen, who had been instrumental in the genesis of Thomas and Vincent too. He also created the title roles in all three operas. Aleksis Kivi was premiered in the rock cavern concert hall at Retretti Art Centre near Savonlinna on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the death of Aleksis Kivi in 1997. The premiere recording followed five years later, in April 2002 ([ODE 1000-2D](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1000-2d)). Several individual numbers from this opera have since then been performed and recorded separately to much acclaim ([ODE 1085-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1085-2)). This Finnish National Opera production is staged at Almi Hall by Pekka Milonoff, with Eeva Ijäs signing for the set design, Niina Pasanen for the costume design, Juha Westman for the lighting design, and Ari Numminen for the choreography. Artistic director Mikko Franck conducts the Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera, as well as the following cast of Finnish soloists: Aleksis Kivi JORMA HYNNINEN August Ahlqvist JANNE REINIKAINEN Charlotta RIIKKA RANTANEN Hilda PAULIINA LINNOSAARI Young Alexis VILLE RUSANEN J.L. Runeberg TOBIAS ZILLIACUS Mikko Vilkastus AKI ALAMIKKOTERVO Uncle Sakeri NICHOLAS SÖDERLUND 'Young Finns’ movement (also: Mythagos, Drinking fellows, Student chorus, Theatre audience): Junki AKI ALAMIKKOTERVO Siivo OLLI TUOVINEN Kristo JUSSI MERIKANTO Olvi RISTO PULKAMO Krasse SIMO MÄKINEN Kuku JEREMIAS ERKKILÄ An old pagan NICHOLAS SÖDERLUND The eighth brother (dancing role) TIMO SAARI This recording was made in October 2010 by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE and directed for video by Hannu Kamppila, with Timo Anttila as Director of Photography. A co-production of the Finnish National Opera and Ondine, this is the first commercial audio-video release of this opera on DVD. This DVD includes, as a bonus addition, a making-of film featuring composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, lead role performer Jorma Hynninen, and conductor Mikko Franck in interviews. This all-regions NTSC disc is designed for worldwide playback. In PAL regions (e.g. Europe, Australasia & Africa) ensure your DVD player and TV are PAL/NTSC compatible ("dual-standard"). ## Features 1 DVD Video (all regions; NTSC Colour 16:9; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround / PCM Stereo); menu in English/Finnish; subtitles in Finnish/English; extras; booklet with liner notes, written by the composer, and synopsis in English and Finnish ## Press Kuten monet kriitikot ovat todenneet, ooppera on erittäin tunteisiinvetoava kuvaus kansalliskirjailijan kiirastulesta. Dramaturgia on kristallinkirkas ja luontevasti etenevä, mikä todistaa sekä Einojuhani Rautavaaran että ohjaaja Pekka Milonoffin osaamisesta, ja solistitkin on moneen kertaan kehuttu loistaviksi. Kare Eskola, YLE Radio 1, 7.4.2011 Mikko Franck dirige avec conviction et la scène, simple et dépouillée, met en valeur des chanteurs impeccables autour du baryton Jorma Hynninen - une force de la nature, un roc. Franck Mallet, Classica, septembre 2011 Jorma Hynninen (...) ist (...) prägnant im Spiel und trotz seiner fast siebzig Jahre von ungebrochener vokaler Präsenz. Der junge Ville Rusanen setzt ihm als sein jugendliches Alter Ego einen klangschönen, schlanken lyrischen Bariton entgegen. (...) Mikko Franck arbeitet mit einem pulsierenden Dirigat der Szene wirkungsvoll zu. Ekkehard Pluta, Klassik Heute, 25. März 2011 ## Buy or stream - [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODV4009OW) ## 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) - [Janne Reinikainen, spoken role](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/reinikainen-janne.md) - [Riikka Rantanen, mezzo-soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/rantanen-riikka.md) - [Pauliina Linnosaari, soprano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/linnosaari-pauliina.md) - [Ville Rusanen, baritone](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/rusanen-ville.md) - [Tobias Zilliacus, spoken role](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/zilliacus-tobias.md) - [Finnish National Opera Orchestra, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/finnish-national-opera-orchestra.md) - [Mikko Franck, Conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/franck-mikko.md) ## Also recommended - [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Thomas - Opera in Three Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-704-2.md): Jorma Hynninen, thomas · Peter Lindroos, Johann von Gobyn · Matti Piipponen, Mäster Styver · Sini Rautavaara, maiden · Opera Festival Chorus · Joensuu City Orchestra · Pekka Haapasalo, conductor (ODE 704-2, 1989) - [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: 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) - [Aulis Sallinen: The Red Line - Opera in Two Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4008.md): Jorma Hynninen, topi · Päivi Nisula, riika · Finnish National Opera Chorus · Finnish National Opera Orchestra · Mikko Franck, conductor (ODV 4008, 2010)