Comedy and tragedy collide in Finland’s ‘national’ opera

Finland, the world’s happiest country, has also been dubbed the land of thousands of sad songs: violence, alcoholism and inequality lurk in the shadows of the Nordic welfare society.

Leevi Madetoja’s (1887–1947) The Ostrobothnians (”Pohjalaisia”) is often called Finland’s national opera, and rightly so. It’s a story about persistence, human rights, and freedom. Pohjalaisia was first performed in 1924. A century later, it reminds us of the timeless nature of stories that stir the human soul. The melodic music of the opera appeals to the emotions with its wistful undertones.

Now, The Ostrobothnians has been reinterpreted by some of Finland’s leading creatives. Paavo Westerberg, known for his work in film and TV, transitions his first opera production impactfully between scenes with powerful imagery. The intriguing staging is set against the backdrop of a potato field.

”The Ostrobothnians is a timeless opera about who we are and who we have been across the ages. It examines the world through a hundred-year kaleidoscope, posing questions about freedom and tyranny, enslavement and compassion, vigilante justice, and the value of humanity today. What is the price of a dignified life? What values do we pass on to future generations? What kind of world will we leave behind?

At a time when justice, human rights, and equality cannot be taken for granted, this century-old work feels deeply, even startlingly, relevant.”

– paavo westerberg, director

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synopsis

In a small village on the Ostrobothnian plains, the Sheriff, an imperious law enforcement officer, maintains order through violence, humiliating the local peasants. Antti’s escape from Harri’s house on his way to prison triggers a series of events that elevate freedom above life itself.

Full synopsis and other background information can be found in the programme leaflet.

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