Mikkeli Music Festival performance of Sibelius’ Kullervo

Thursday August 7, 2025 at 7 pm
KULLERVO
Mikkeli Parish church (Pitäjänkirkko)
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra and Santtu-Matias Rouvali, conductor
YL Male Voice Choir
Johanna Rusanen, soprano
Ville Rusanen, baritone

Originally completed in 1892, the large-scale, five-part work is composed to the text of the Finnish epic Kalevala. The piece depicts the life of Kullervo, from his youth through his warlike deeds and ultimately to his death. Sibelius’ music has been close to Philharmonia Orchestra since their recordings of Sibelius Symphonies in the 1950’. Their autumn season 2024 opening in London with Kullervo was greeted with praising reviews by critics on 26.9.2024.

YL Male Voice Choir, who performed with Philharmonia in London on 26th of September 2024, is one of the most prestige male choirs in Finland. YL is considered as the leading interpreter of the Sibelius’ choral compositions, as it has originally commissioned many of them. YL Male Voice Choir is also known for it’s work as an ambassador of Finnish Music worldwide.
Famous Finnish opera siblings, Johanna Rusanen and Ville Rusanen, shall perform as the soloists of Kullervo.