Estimated duration

2 h

Organizer

Radion sinfoniaorkesteri

Nicholas Collon, conductor
Szymon Mechliński, baritone (Roger II, King of Sicily)
Iwona Sobotka, soprano (Roxana)
Tuomas Katajala, tenor (Edrisi)
Dmytro Popov, tenor (Shepherd)
Maiju Vaahtoluoto, mezzo-soprano (Deaconess)
Janne Sihvo, bass (Archbishop)
Musiikkitalo Choir
Tapiola Choir
Karol Szymanowski: Opera King Roger, Finnish premiere

King Roger of Sicily rules without love until a mysterious stranger appears in the realm, preaching a subversive new gospel. Karol Szymanowski’s only opera takes a simple allegorical tale and clothes it in some of the most sensuous music of the 20th century: a journey into agony, ecstasy and pure, uninhibited beauty. Under Nicholas Collom, this rare concert performance – the first ever in Finland – should be a highlight of our Szymanowski season.