Helsinki children born in 2020 and 2021 can experience the magic of music and theatre
Helsinki City Theatre and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra are joining forces once again – children taking part in Kulttuurin kummilapset will experience a new version of Prokofiev’s beloved Pekka ja susi.
Helsinki City Theatre, the cultural partner for Helsinki children born in 2021, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the cultural partner for children born in 2020, are jointly producing a concert performance of Pekka ja susi for the children. The production will be performed at Musiikkitalo and on Helsinki City Theatre’s Main Stage in late September and early October.
“The new music composed by Jukka Nykänen is full of joy, while orchestrator Marko Hilpo has shaped it in a way that keeps the audience engaged. The new songs offer a fresh perspective on the story of Pekka ja susi,” says Jari Eskola, General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Pekka ja susi is a familiar story to many, which is precisely why finding our own perspective on it has been so fascinating. We have explored what dance and movement can bring to the music and what new meanings they can reveal in the story,” says director and choreographer Johanna Elovaara.
“Our process has involved plenty of play, experimentation and shared discoveries, with the entire creative team wholeheartedly exploring and building this world together. I believe that same curiosity and joy will also come across to the audience.”
In addition to performances for families taking part in the orchestra’s and theatre’s Kulttuurin kummilapset programmes, there will be a public performance of Pekka ja susi in the Concert Hall at Musiikkitalo on Thursday 17.9. at 18.30.
Pekka ja susi
This joint production by Helsinki City Theatre and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra pays tribute to Sergei Prokofiev’s original work while adding new music, dance and the magic of theatre.
It is morning on the farm where Pekka lives with his grandfather. Grandfather has already started work, and the farm animals are awake. Pekka is a brave boy, but despite his grandfather’s warnings, he does not always remember to close the gate. And this morning is no exception. The duck who lives on the farm is delighted to finally get beyond the farmyard and splash about in a puddle – but what happens when a wolf emerges from the nearby forest? Fortunately, Pekka is not only brave but clever too, so there is no cause for alarm.
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Mikael Loponen, with Johanna Elovaara directing and choreographing. Sanna Niemeläinen is responsible for the dramaturgy and has written the song lyrics, Elina Kolehmainen has designed the sets and costumes, and Aino Hyttinen has designed the make-up. Appearing on stage with the orchestra are Satu Sopanen, Martti Manninen, Raili Raitala and Pekka Louhio. The new music has been composed by Jukka Nykänen and orchestrated by Marko Hilpo.
Kulttuurin kummilapset
Kulttuurin kummilapset is a free cultural service for families in Helsinki. Every child born in Helsinki in 2020 or later is assigned a cultural partner, giving the child and their family a personal connection to the arts. Determined by the child’s year of birth, the cultural partner organises two free cultural events for the children each year until they start school. The events are designed with the children’s age in mind and are suitable for all families. Kulttuurin kummilapset is administered by the City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Division. The programme is made possible by a grant from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.
Read more in the press release.