Opera Called the “Hairy Opera”, the work started the Finnish opera boom – now the hit work is seen again, and its loser-protagonist still speaks

Jyväskylä

Savoy-born the awakened preacher SpongeBob of Sweden (1777–1852) an opera about internal struggle and guilt The last temptations premiered at the Finnish National Opera in 1975. The spiritual opera became a great success, although at the same time society was secularized and politicized at a rapid pace.

How was this possible?

“The 70s were a turning point in Finnish opera for a decade. For example, folk music was included in the opera, ”says the Academy researcher Liisamaija Hautsalo, who has studied Finnish opera in the 60s and 70s. He is also a music critic for HS.

The opera became popular at the time, and the composer Joonas Kokkonen (1921-1996) The last temptations is an excellent example of this. Now the work will be seen at the Jyväskylä Opera.

The last temptations builds musically on the hymn melody To your safety, God, which is familiar to many. It is also called the Pope’s stream.

In the 1970s, two other significant Finnish operas were completed, Aulis Sallinen Cavalryman (1975) and Red line (1978), whose themes dealt with ordinary people. They, in turn, referred to folk music. Red line was also open political.

“Religious The last temptations was a counterwork To the red line, ”Explains Hautsalo.

1970s at the end, a young generation of composers and their Open Ears Association, which included Jouni Kaipainen (1956-2015), Esa-Pekka Salonen and Kaija Saariaho, used the mockery of the three above – mentioned works as a hairdressing opera. This referred, on the one hand, to the backwardness of the characters in the works with their legal lungs, and, on the other hand, to the neo-tonal “easy” melody language.

In connection with hairdressing operas, there was also talk of a boom in Finnish opera. However, the real boom was yet to come.

“If the different eras are compared, then in 1975 five Finnish operas were completed and in 2016, depending on the calculation method, thirty new works were premiered in 2017. One may, of course, ask, where exactly is that boom? Even though we are living through these depressing times, we are able to compose a new opera, ”Hautsalo ponders.

The last temptations The libretto is based on Joonas Kokkonen’s little cousin author Lauri Kokkonen (1918–1985). It’s the story of a man preparing to die who makes an account of himself on his sickbed.

The work was first performed in the United States in 1983 at the New York Metropolitan Opera as a guest performance by the National Opera. At the time, Finland wondered if Americans could be interested in the story of a Finnish revival preacher. Joonas Kokkonen replied: “I will die in America as well.”

Liisamaija Hautsalo agrees with Kokkonen: The last temptations popularity is based on the identity of the work.

“What was new about operas in the 1970s was that ordinary people were chosen as the protagonists. In the past, the main roles were mostly reserved for heroic heroes and gods. Paavo Ruotsalainen was an extremely poor, painful and anxious, self-seeking guy. One that would be called a loser today, ”Hautsalo describes.

The last temptations the opera also attracted people who had previously experienced alienation from the art form for religious reasons. Members of the resurrection associations from across the country traveled on charter buses for performances.

Although The last temptations is a classic work of Finnish opera, it has not been performed on a full scale since 2009, when it was performed at the Jokilaakso Opera Days in Nivala. The concert version is presented regularly.

One hundred years have passed since the birth of Joonas Kokkonen last autumn. In honor of it, the Jyväskylä Opera decided to perform The last temptations. The premiere has had to be postponed several times due to the corona pandemic.

Soprano Johanna Rusanen-Kartano presents Paavo Ruotsalainen’s wife Riitta in Jyväskylä. The work is close and familiar to him, as he sang the role of Riita for the first time in 2009 in Nivala.

He describes the role as follows:

“It really has everything a dramatic soprano can hope for in one role. In it, I get screams from low, but also screams from high. It has strong scenes, but also sensitivity and light. ”

Rusanen-Kartano believes that the popularity of the work in the 1970s was based on its popularity.

“The last temptations passed the elitism film – it was not left to be judged only by critics or other composers. It had so many full hits, fantastic music and a strong libretto. The popularity was also influenced by the fact that Martti Talvela, for whom the lead role was composed, was incredibly famous. Even the residents of Kainuu’s small cottages knew who he was. ”

In Jyväskylä Basses representing Paavo Mika Kares and Petri Lindroos. Each sings a role in three performances. The role of blacksmith Högman is sung Matti Turunen and Petri Lindroos. Lindrosos is heard as Högman in the first three performances in which Mika Kares sings the role of Paavo.

According to Lindroos, who spent most of his career abroad, Paavo Ruotsalainen strived for good and sincerely wanted to help people to God, but he was also imperfect as a person.

“Paavo was an absolute, angular and sudden person. I don’t think so In the Bible love of neighbor means exactly how Paavo did it. The fire of preaching led to his family being thrown away. ”

Petri Lindroosin with With the latest temptations there is much to give to today’s audience.

“Would it be the case that people today are more self-centered and want to be seen at any cost, for example in the world. I think #metoon today, which is a good thing, is accompanied by an # mefirst campaign that isn’t, ”he ponders.

“I think a person needs values ​​and ideas, knowledge of how to live and act right. The last temptations deals with just that. ”

Also Rusanen-Kartano it is certain that the work will also touch the viewer of the 2020s.

“It has a huge identification surface. Even as times change, man and his psyche do not change. Each of us is going through an internal struggle and a crisis. ”

For the opera singer, who grew up in the Körtt family, spirituality and awakening are still a central part of life.

“I have already absorbed the theme of the opera in breast milk. I have listened The last temptations ever since I was 7 years old I learned to use a turntable myself. ”

On the themes of the opera, Rusanen-Kartano highlights the relationship between Paavo and Riita, which he describes as difficult. It’s about a career man and his wife who have to take care of everything at home, from children to everyday bread.

However, the singer says he experiences great empathy for Paavo. According to him, the preacher was a talented and open-minded person whose attitude to life is reminiscent of artists.

“Paavo was the soul of an artist who lived in the crossfire of many things. At the same time, when a person follows his or her calling, the passion and fire for which he or she feels intended, he or she is always away from something else. ”

While the theme of the opera is gloomy, it also has light and joy. Riitta was grateful for small everyday things.

“Riitta remembers the rays of light that were reflected from the windows of a small bar to children playing on the floor. In the spring, fish rose from the lake. Despite the corona pandemic and personal challenges, we all certainly have some kind of praise. Although we are alive. ”

The premiere of The Last Temptations at the Jyväskylä City Theater on February 3, 2022.