Carmen in the Finnish summer night

Carmen in the Summer Night takes place in the summer of 1979 in the male-dominated “Kekkoslovakia”, where the Midsummer bonfire burns and the cassette players scream punk or rock-a-billy and the Village People sing about the Young Men's Christian Association. Wild Carmen, corporal Joose and rock-a-billy star Esko Millo are drawn into the vortex of passion and jealousy, through the summer nights from Kultakivi's midsummer party to the last moments at Kotka Maritime festivals. Carmen's belief in the right to freedom and independence is fierce and burning, like the hot highway that burns blisters on the soles of feet.

The music of ‘Carmen suviyössä’ is faithful to Georges Bizet’s original composition, and the music is performed in its original language of French. The dialogues performed in Finnish have been written in part on the basis of stage improvisation. The performance has subtitles in Finnish and Swedish.

The piece is directed by Juha Pikkarainen, MA (Theatre and Drama). The soloists are mainly Helsinki-based freelance opera singers. The musical director and pianist is Tiina Korhonen.

Starring:
Carmen: Mari Hautaniemi (mezzo-soprano)
Raija (Frasquita): Emmi Kaijansinkko (soprano)
Merja (Mercedes): Viivi Tulkki (soprano)
Mikaela (Micaëla): Pirjo Leppänen (soprano)
Joose (Don José): Antti Tolvanen (tenor)
Esko Millo (Escamillo): Antti Pakkanen (baritone)
Eki (Remendado): Matias Haakana (tenor)
Roke (Dancairo): Vikke Häkkinen (baritone)
Mortti (Morales): Vikke Häkkinen (baritone)
Sunila (Zuniga): Niklas Spångberg (bass baritone)

Aleksanterin teatteri (Alexander Theatre)
25 August 2023 at 19-22
26 August 2023 at 19-22

Duration: 2 h 45 min, including intervall

Tickets: 42 € / 37 € / 32 €.Note! Wheelchair seats and group tickets directly from Aleksanterin teatteri, phone 09-676 980.

Age recommendation: 12+