16.8.2012

A unique musical experience

Villazón conquers Turku

Emmanuelle Haïm, Topi Lehtipuu, Rolando Villazón ja Sandrine Piau. Kuva: Seilo Ristimäki/Turun musiikkijuhlat

The Turku Music Festival saw world class stars on Tuesday evening for a performance of Monteverdi's "Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda". The most eagerly awaited performer was tenor Rolando Villazón, who, along with tenor Topi Lehtipuu and soprano Sandrine Piau, sang themselves straight into the hearts of the audience while being conducted by Emmanuelle Haïm.

Villazón who is known for his expressiveness and his humorous ways received a standing ovation when he sang at the end of the concert while wearing sunglasses painted with the Finnish flag.

That the concert was a wonderful collaboration between Villazón, Lehtipuu, Piau, Haïm and the acclaimed baroque orchestra Le Concert d’Astrée was no surprise; they had all previously worked together and recorded a much praised version of Monteverdi's "Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda". The audience was enthralled, moved and entertained by the performers from the first notes to the last.

In addition to "Combattimento," other baroque arias and duet compositions by Claudio Monteverdi, Dario Castello and Luigi Rossi were performed.

Turku Music Festival continues until Saturday

During the rest of the week there will be Lunch Concerts, Uutisooppera (News Opera), Bach arranged for the accordion and viol music in candlelight at Turku Cathedral.

Turku Music Festival is also involved in the organising of the science and art symposium Aboagora; this year's theme is "The Power of the Sacred and the Secular". The symposium is arranged in cooperation with the Cultural History Department at the University of Turku and the Donner Institute at Åbo Akademi; the Agora lectures at the Sibelius Museum are open to all.

Today at The Night of the Arts on the Hämähäkkitontti, next to the City Theatre, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a free concert presenting Sibelius's compositions. Unfortunately, Matti Salminen has had to cancel his participation at the Turku Music Festival's concert, " Läpi harmaan kiven". In his place Turku Philharmonic Orchestra will be led by Leif Segerstam appearing with soprano Helena Juntunen.

On Saturday, the festival will close with "Règne, Amour ..." in which Baroque music blends with more modern and diverse styles of music. The concert culminates with Handel's "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day," Saint Cecilia the patron saint of musicians.

For more information:

• Turku Music Festival
• A celebration of power and emotions