Singer

We return to the Mikkeli Music Festival, an annual highlight in Philharmonia musicians’ calendars.

Our Principal Conductor Santtu opens our series of concerts with an all-Sibelius programme, culminating in the epic Kullervo – with the very same choir that Sibelius originally wrote the piece for.

Mikkeli Music Festival 2025

 Mikkeli Parish Church

Mikkelin Mikaeli Oy

This impactful opera is an experience unlike anything seen before at the Finnish National Opera. In an uprising on a farm, a group of animals overthrow their farmer’s tyrannical reign. Little by little, their new society begins to mirror human civilisation, and their original principles of equality are cast aside.

Animal Farm

Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Experience the electrifying start of the Nordic Soundscapes series with "Santtu conducts Sibelius and Grieg" at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday, 26 September 2024, at 7pm. Under the baton of Finnish Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, this concert promises an unforgettable evening of music that explores the deep connections between Nordic composers and the natural world.

The evening kicks off with María Sigfúsdóttir’s "Oceans" in its London premiere, a piece that captures the majestic power of the sea and the wind, setting the stage for a night of immersive soundscapes. Following this, the renowned pianist Stephen Hough takes the stage for Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto, a work overflowing with passion and dramatic intensity.

The highlight of the night is Sibelius’s "Kullervo," a monumental piece that tells a tragic tale from Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala. Performed with the historic Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat Male Voice Choir, who sang at its premiere in 1892, this rare performance is a testament to Finnish national identity and the genius of Sibelius. Expect an evening of sweeping melodies, high drama, and exceptional singing.

Tickets range from £15 to £75, with priority booking available for Friends of the Philharmonia. General booking opens at 10am on Tuesday, 23 April. This concert is not just a performance but an invitation to journey through the Nordic landscapes, brought to life by the Philharmonia Orchestra at the heart of London.

Join us for a night that celebrates the beauty of Nordic music and the artistry of some of the world’s most talented musicians. This event is part of the Nordic Soundscapes series, running from 26 September to 10 November 2024, a series that promises to be a profound exploration of music crafted from nature.

Santtu conducts Sibelius and Grieg

Royal Festival Hall

The Philharmonia Orchestra’s season gets off to a barnstorming start, as they launch their series Nordic Soundscapes with pianist Stephen Hough..

Soprano

Johanna Rusanen

Events

Past events

7 - 10 Aug, 2025

Mikkeli Music Festival 2025 · Philharmonia Orchestra

Mar 28 - May 6, 2025

Animal Farm · Finnish National Opera and Ballet

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