MOOMIN OPERA
Ilkka Kuusisto’s
Moomin opera had its premiere in 1974 and it hasn’t been performed very often
since then. Since it hadn’t been shown in Helsinki for over 40 years, Helsinki
Conservatory did a great job in digging it up as their Finland 100 Years
performance.
I think it was a great
opera for all Moomin fans and it was a nice experience also for the rest of us.
The story is loosely based on Tove Jansson’s book Moominsummer Madness and the
second act was situated in an opera house.
The music was a
mixture of different things: modern opera music, riveting songs clearly meant
for children and also classical opera music. I think the singers were very good
in this second premiere. My personal favourite was Emma sung by Linda Rolig.
Really beautiful singing and since Emma’s role was not bound by the Moomin
tradition, she was able to make a great character performance, too.
Costumes (once again
by Tyra Therman) was really successful. Of course, Moomins look like Moomins,
so there the costume designer cannot let her imagination lead he,r but I had to
admire the way the costumes were designed so that the sound could get out. The
red dresses of the opera divas were fantastic.
Since I am not myself
a great Moomin fan, I wasn’t super enthusiastic about the evening, but the
opera was worth seeing anyway. And it did suit also children and fortunately
lots of them had come to see it.
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| Programme, copyright Moomin Characters |
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