Estimated duration
1 h 30 min.
Organizer
Taideyliopiston Sibelius-Akatemia
Can an opera fit in a pocket?
In her lecture, Heta Aho will present some of her latest compositions within the genre of opera (e.g., Kerran (Once), Hilma 6:1) and selected productions She’s produced for Kulttuurikomppania Eloa (Eloa Culture Company). These works combine live music, adventurous spaces, and stories; they reflect her artistic thinking—and occasionally, the lack of it.
The lecture will be guided by the following questions, among others
Is opera a state of mind rather than an art form? How do stories woven around music affect our listening experience? Can a classical musician be liberated by the power of a character card?
The lecture will be held in English.
Heta Aho (b. 1992) is an Espoo/Helsinki-based composer, director, event producer, and former professional flautist who works at the intersection of music and storytelling. Aho enjoys composing text and producing multidisciplinary events driven by high-energy art psychosis.
Further information: Niilo Tarnanen, niilo.tarnanen@uniarts.fi
Changes are possible.
Lecture Series Music on Our Time
The Lecture Series Music of Our Time is organised by the Composition and Music Theory department of the Sibelius Academy. In the series, leading contemporary professionals present and discuss their work and compositions. Five lectures open to the public are held in the auditorium of the Helsinki Music Centre on Thursdays from 13:15 to 14:45. The language of the lectures is English.
The Thursday afternoon lecture series began already in the 1960s under the name Composition Seminar. At that time, new compositions were publicly presented and often debated in lively and polemical discussions. The name Lecture Series on the Music of Our Time became established in the 1980s.
Over the years, the series has hosted numerous Finnish and international composers, including Aulis Sallinen, Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, Kalevi Aho, Jukka Tiensuu, Olli Mustonen and DJ Orkidea. International guests have included, among others, Krzysztof Penderecki (who visited to receive the Sibelius Prize), the American minimalists John Adams and Steve Reich, as well as Chaya Czernowin, Per Nørgård, Louis Andriessen, Mark Andre, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Phill Niblock, Brett Dean, Sunleif Rasmussen and Tom Johnson.
In addition, many other professionals working in contemporary music and the arts have spoken about their work, including musicians, writers, visual artists, directors and choreographers. Guests have included, for example, the writer Veijo Meri, the neurologist Matti Bergström, the violinist Pekka Kuusisto and docent of Japanese aesthetics Minna Eväsoja.
Over the years, the series has been hosted by professors such as Einojuhani Rautavaara and Paavo Heininen, lecturers Tapani Länsiö, Juhani Nuorvala and Riikka Talvitie, and composer Matthew Whittall. The series is currently coordinated by composer and music theory teacher Niilo Tarnanen.
Welcome to join the discussion on current questions in contemporary music!
Tickets to Musiikkitalo concerts and other events are available to purchase on our website, by telephone and at our physical box office.
Book tickets for 10–20 or more people is by contacting group sales service by email at ryhmat@musiikkitalo.fi or by telephone on 0600 411 101 (Monday to Friday, 9:00–15:00).
How about a cup of coffee, a bite to eat or a glass of bubbly during the interval? Order your drinks in advance to beat the queues and make the most of your concert visit. Interval refreshments are not available at all concerts.
Our location could not be more central or easier to get to. Almost all forms of Helsinki public transport stop right outside our doors, cycle parking is provided at all our entrances, and Aimo Park Finlandia, our nearest multi-storey car park, offers lift access directly to our main foyer.
At Helsinki Music Centre we are proud to be an accessible and welcoming place for everyone. Tactile handrails and signage have been fitted across the building, and there are tactile indicator strips on the floor too to guide partially sighted and blind visitors. Induction loops are always available, and guide or companion dogs are of course permitted within the building.
Concert Hall
The route to your seat is always printed on your ticket. Check the door number to find out which entrance to take. The seating areas are marked with letters. There is level access to all wheelchair seats from the main entrances. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff are always on hand to help you find your seat.
Black Box, Camerata and Sonore
Use the row number printed on your ticket to find your seat. Wheelchair seats are situated on the same level as the entrance. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff area always on hand to help you find your seat.
Unallocated seating
Please choose your seat on the day.
Floor plans
You can view our floor plans before your visit.
Cloakroom
We ask you to leave your coat and any larger items in the cloakroom. The cloakroom is free of charge.
Latecomers
Latecomers will be asked to wait until a suitable break in the performance or admitted after the interval.
Photography
You are not permitted to record concert performances at Helsinki Music Centre. However, you may take photographs before and after the concert and during applause. Individual concert organisers may have their own, more detail guidance regarding recording and photography.
Dress code
We’re happy to say we have no dress code at Helsinki Music Centre, and we positively encourage you to come as you are. However, we would be grateful if you could avoid wearing strong perfume during your visit so that people with asthma and fragrance sensitivity can enjoy our concerts symptom free.
