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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula July 22, 2003 Press release and photos © 2003 Finlandia University. Reprinted with permission.

Sibelius Academy musicians to perform at Calumet Theatre July 23, 24, 25

HANCOCK -- Musicians from the Sibelius Music Academy of Helsinki, Finland, will be performing again this summer at the invitation of Finlandia University. The Fifth Annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival will feature three different concerts at the Calumet Theatre, July 23, 24 and 25. The concerts begin at 8 p.m. each evening.

"These students represent the quality and virtuosity of the Sibelius Music Academy in Finland," explained Dr. Robert Ubbelohde, President of Finlandia University. "Our jurors select musicians from a field of applicants. We then bring the students to Hancock for public performances. We also bring them into local care facilities in the area where they will perform private 'mini-concerts' for the elderly and infirm."

This year's festival will feature classical music selections by a classical guitarist, a piano and violin duo and a Baroque quartet.

Otto Tolonen, Finnish classical guitarist, will perform at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, in the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Otto Tolonen will be playing classical guitar on Wednesday, July 23.

"Otto has performed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Argentina, the Netherlands, Norway and Germany and has won numerous awards for his talent," President Ubbelohde noted.

Johanna Nieminen, Duo Desim violinist, will perform classical works with Elisa Järvi, piano, at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Thursday's concert will feature Duo Desim -- Johanna Nieminen, violin, and Elisa Järvi, piano. The duo will  perform works from Mozart, Sibelius, Grieg, Rautavaara and Byström, to name a few.

Elisa Järvi, Duo Desim pianist, will join Johanna Nieminen, violinist, in Thursday's Sibelius Academy concert at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

On Friday, the Calumet Theatre audience will have the opportunity to hear the Baroque quartet Volante -- comprised of Pauliina Fred, flute; Minna Kangas, violin; Vappu Helasvuo, viola; and Heidi Peltoniemi, cello. The group specializes in Swedish-Finnish music of the Gustavian era, such as the compositions of Crusell and Wesström.

The Baroque quartet Volante includes these Sibelius Academy students: (from left) Vappu Helasvuo, viola; Heidi Peltoniemi, cello; Minna Kangas, violin; and Pauliina Fred, flute. Volante will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Finlandia University has also made arrangements for the Academy students to perform in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas before they depart for home.

The Sibelius Music Academy, founded in 1882, is the only music academy in Finland and one of the largest in Europe. In addition to providing the highest quality education in the field of music, the Academy engages in performance/creative art and also research. They have a strong commitment to foster Finland's musical culture and cultural heritage. Distinguished alumni include Osmo Vänskä, the new conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Karita Mattila, soprano, performing artist at the Metropolitan Opera of New York. 

"The positive response to our concert series in the past makes it clear there is an appreciation of and need for more great performances in our area by talented classical artists," added Dr. Ubbelohde. "In fact, response has been so good, we are moving the concert series to the historic Calumet Theatre to accommodate more patrons. The positive response also includes the Consulate General of Finland in New York City -- now a patron of the concert series."

For more information, please contact Jo Lorichon, executive director of communications, Finlandia University, at 906-487-7373. For tickets, please call the Calumet Theatre at 906-337-2610.

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