Dubbed “our greatest living Sibelian” by The Sunday Times, Finnish maestro Osmo Vänskä is joined by soprano Helena Juntunen for this showcase of Sibelius’s folkloric tone poems. They include the myth Luonnotar, in which the daughter of Air drops a seabird’s eggs and thereby creates the sun, the stars, the moon and sky; while Lemminkäinen Suite recounts the adventures of a hero from the Kalevala, leading to his death and eventual rebirth after his grieving mother puts his body back together.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Sibelius’ music is intimately connected to the expansive beauty of his native Finland. His poetic notes hang in the air like snowflakes; with wind whistling through frozen forests, the music is a sensory delight.
Conductor Osmo Vänskä is universally acknowledged as ‘our greatest living Sibelian’ (Sunday Times) — his interpretations of his countryman’s music hailed for their ‘marvellous energy and dramatic fire’ (The Guardian). For this event, Vänskä has chosen pieces that bring to life Finnish myths and legends through Sibelius’ rich and evocative soundworld: the creation of the world in Luonnotar and the heroic Lemminkäinen Suite including the beloved The Swan of Tuonela.

Vänskä is joined by acclaimed Finnish soprano Helena Juntunen for a selection of five songs inspired by Finnish folklore. Juntunen ‘commands her audience’s attention’ with a ‘shimmering stream of glistening tone’ (Bachtrack), and is the ideal singer for these heartfelt, richly textured works.

Does love burn brighter in a cold place? Discover the answer in this special Sydney Symphony celebration of Sibelius and the beauty of his homeland.