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Helsinki to unveil Rautavaara's operatic Rasputin

(June 2003)

Einojuhani Rautavaara's new opera, Rasputin, is premiered at the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki on 19 September.

Mikko Franck, a leading interpreter of Rautavaara's music, conducts the premiere production of Rasputin by Vilppu Kiljunen, and the cast includes Matti Salminen in the title role, Jorma Hynninen as Tsar Nicholas and Lilli Paasikivi as the Tsarina Alexandra. Rautavaara has long been fascinated by the charismatic mysticism of the illiterate peasant turned court confidant, whose colourful life ended in poison, bullets and the ultimate destruction of the Imperial family. The composer was finally spurred on to create the opera by the recent publication of Edvard Radzinsky's book that includes the transcripts of police interrogations with Rasputin which "almost begged to be set as a libretto".

"The key word to the libretto is ambivalence; Rasputin was a mysterious peasant, a muzhik, who was deeply religious, a fervent Christian and ascetic, almost a prophet – but on the other hand the very incarnation of corruption and debauchery, a drunk, and if rumours are to be believed also the Tsarina's lover and counsellor whose advice ruined the entire country. However, it does not seem appropriate to create merely a realistic stage play, a re-enactment of history or a recreation of an episode. There must also be a presence of profound Russian mysticism, the 'wind from Siberia' which can be sensed in the existentialism of Dostoevsky or the dolorous pessimism of Tchaikovsky."

For further information on Rasputin visit the Finnish National Opera website

Following the opera, Rautavaara is embarking on the first works under his new contract with Boosey & Hawkes. A short solo piano piece for Laura Mikkola, Passionale, is followed by a new score for Mikko Franck and the Orchestre National de Belgique scheduled for the 2004/05 season, and by a string orchestra piece for the Juilliard Orchestra in 2005. A Cello Concerto for Truls Mørk and the Minnesota Orchestra is to be premiered under the baton of Osmo Vänskä in 2006.

> Weitere Informationen zur Aufführung: Rasputin
> Weitere Informationen zum Werk: Passionale

Photo of Rasputin: Alexander Palace collection

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