Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, premiered in 1971, will fill Oulu Hall in April 2026. Celebrating the European Capital of Culture year, this large-scale music theatre production by the iconic American composer and conductor brings hundreds of performers to the stage. Tickets are now on sale.
Leonard Bernstein’s MASS (original title MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers, 1971) will be performed in Oulu from 17 to 21 April 2026. Staged four times in total at Oulu Hall, MASS is a unique work that fuses the Latin Tridentine Mass with modern music theatre and dance, sung in Latin, Hebrew, and English.
The production is directed and choreographed by multidisciplinary performing artist Petri Kauppinen, with baritone Ville Rusanen in the lead role. Bernstein’s MASS requires such a vast performance apparatus that it is rarely staged even internationally.
Bringing MASS to Finland and Oulu has been a long-time dream for Oulu Sinfonia’s General Manager Maija Kuusisto. “For many years, MASS has been on our list of great works never before performed in Oulu. The European Capital of Culture year provides a unique opportunity to stage a production of this scale in Finland. One of our key themes for 2026 is multidisciplinary collaboration between cultural field. This work allows us to harness the expertise of many partners at once,” Kuusisto says.
In addition to Oulu Sinfonia’s musicians, the stage at Oulu Hall will feature a large mixed choir, a separate vocal ensemble, blues and rock bands, a military band, an extensive percussion section, electronic instruments, and numerous dancers. The production is a collaboration with JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre, Lapland Military Band, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and Oulu Conservatory. Oulu Sinfonia’s Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba will conduct the performances, with Kasmir Uusitupa as assistant. Elina Kärki will coach the choir and vocal ensemble. Altogether, the number of performers is expected to exceed 200.
“The core message of MASS lies in the power of community,” says Petri Kauppinen. “But it also reflects on the dangers of ideological conformity, where a single disruption can lead to conflict.”
Leonard Bernstein, also known as the composer of West Side Story and former Chief Conductor of the New York Philharmonic, composed MASS for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington in 1971. Its pacifist themes during the Vietnam War were considered controversial, and U.S. President Richard Nixon notably boycotted the premiere.
“In my view, MASS challenges the legitimacy of power and warfare, making it highly relevant once again,” Kauppinen adds. “The work also explores the unifying power of faith – whether in a god or an ideal – as a force for peace, both for individuals and communities. The Oulu Hall production will be a dazzling fusion of light, music, and movement, accessible well beyond the bounds of Christianity or Catholicism.”
Also newly announced is Beyond the Sky, a new work combining the astrophotography of Oulu-based visual artist and astronomical photographer Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio with brand new music by composer Lauri Porra. The concerts will take place from 19 to 21 November 2026 at Oulu Hall, as part of the Lumo Light Festival. The concerts will be conducted by Dalia Stasevska and will feature Oulu Sinfonia alongside the Oulu Chamber Choir.
“Beyond the Sky is a tonal poem that combines the scale of a symphony and a miniature opera expression, reflecting the core questions of humanity in the light of the stars and infinity. The music breathes in the rhythm of the images and builds the story alongside them,” Porra describes.
Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Beyond the Sky is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and the cultural climate change initiative.
Text: Oulu Sinfonia
Photos: MASS, c Tero Ahonen | Beyond the Sky, c Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio
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MASS
Fri 17.4.2026 at 18.30
Sat 18.4.2026 at 15.00
Mon 20.4.2026 at 12.00
Tue 21.4.2026 at 18.30
Oulu Hall
Authors:
Music Leonard Bernstein
Libretto from the liturgy of the Roman Mass, with additional texts by Stephen Schwartz and Leonard Bernstein
Libreto translation Juhani Koivisto
Direction and choreography Petri Kauppinen
Conductor Rumon Gamba
Assistant conductor Kasmir Uusitupa
Choir master Elina Kärki
Choir master, children’s choir Maria Viitasaari
Set design, lightning and video designer Joonas Tikkanen
Sound design Ilkka Herkman
Costume design Iida Ukkola
Repetiteur Outi Nissi
Performers:
Ville Rusanen The Celebrant
Oamk Dance teacher students
Soma Ensemble and Project Choir
Music Classes of Teuvo Pakkala School
Lapland Military Band
Oulu Sinfonia
Additional performers to be announced
Concert program:
Leonard Bernstein: MASS (Finnish Premiere)
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Beyond the Sky
Thu 19.11.2026 at 19.30
Fri 20.11.2026 at 13.00
Fri 20.11.2026 at 19.30
Sat 21.11.2026 at 16.30
Sat 21.11.2026 at 19.30
Oulu Hall
Authors:
Astrophotoraphy and animations Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio
Music Lauri Porra
Set design, lightning and video designer Joonas Tikkanen
Sound designer Ilkka Herkman
Choir master Kristian Heberg
Performers:
Dalia Stasevska conductor
Oulu Chamber Choir and Project Choir
Oulu Sinfonia
Additional performers to be announced
Concert Program:
Lauri Porra: Beyond the Sky (World Premiere)