Oulu Sinfonia has announced further additions to its Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme. In February, the Bach–Torikka–Uotinen production, which premiered at the Helsinki Festival in August, will visit Oulu. In this work, Johann Sebastian Bach’s music, interpreted by baritone Waltteri Torikka, is paired with choreography by Jorma Uotinen. In October, audiences will experience a multiartistic reinterpretation of Georges Bizet’s operatic classic Carmen, transformed into a flamenco-inspired vision by Israel Galván.
Bach–Torikka–Uotinen is a dramatic stage piece created by baritone Waltteri Torikka and choreographer Jorma Uotinen around the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, combining voice, light and movement to explore the journey of human life. The work pays tribute to Jorma Uotinen and his life’s work as choreographer and dancer. It premiered in August 2025 at the Helsinki Festival in the Temppeliaukio Church, marking Uotinen’s 75th anniversary year. The dancers are Nina Hyvärinen, Antti Keinänen, Kasperi Kolehmainen and Sofia Ruija. The orchestra, lead by Matias Häkkinen, brings together musicians from Oulu Sinfonia and Ensemble Nylandia.
In October, audiences will discover what happens when Georges Bizet’s Carmen—a tale steeped in jealousy and tragic love—encounters the visionary flamenco artistry of Seville-based Israel Galván. In this striking new version, the familiar love story is retold by three opera singers, a cantaora, a flamenco dancer, and one surprising addition: the celebrated Oulu-based shouting choir, Mieskuoro Huutajat. Conducted by Maria Itkonen, the cast includes mezzo-soprano Niina Keitel (Carmen), tenor Timothy Richards (Don José), and bass-baritone Tuomas Pursio (Escamillo). The cantaora and guitarist is Maria Marin. This marks the Finnish premiere of Galván’s Carmen.
Premiered in Seville in October 2024, Carmen received both curiosity and admiration from audiences. The newspaper El Correro de Andalucía wrote: “Built around three solid pillars—song, movement and rhythm—this Carmen was eccentric, but undeniably sincere.”
Tickets for Bach–Torikka–Uotinen and Carmen went on sale from 4 September 2025. Oulu Sinfonia’s full 2026 programme will be published on Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Earlier announcements from Oulu Sinfonia’s Oulu2026 programme include Leonard Bernstein’s monumental musical theatre work MASS, which will receive its Finnish premiere at April in Oulu Hall, and Beyond the Sky, a new multiartistic creation centred on the life’s work of Oulu-based astrophotographer and visual artist Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio. Combining art, science and technology, Beyond the Sky will receive its world premiere in November as part of the Lumo Light Festival. Music is composed by Lauri Porra.
Oulu Sinfonia’s 2026 season features extensive collaboration with a wide range of organisations. The year begins on 16 January at Oulu Theatre with the world premiere of the Sámi opera Ovllá, composed by Cecilia Damström with a libretto by Juho-Sire and Siri Broch Johansen. The opera will be directed by Heta Haanperä and conducted by Oulu Sinfonia’s Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba, with Assistant Conductor Aku Sorensen.
Text: Oulu Sinfonia
Photo: Israel Galván, c Felix Vazquez
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Bach–Torikka–Uotinen
Thu 19.2.2026 at 18:30
Fri 20.2.2026 at 18:30
Oulu Cathedral
Authors:
Director, choreographer Jorma Uotinen
Choreographer’s assistant Riku Lehtopolku
Visual design Veli-Ville Sivén
Performance concept and musical choices Waltteri Torikka
Music lead Matias Häkkinen
Costume design Tinja Salmi
Set design Kari Sivén
Performers:
Matias Häkkinen lead and cembalo
Waltteri Torikka baritone
Ensemble Nylandia
Oulu Sinfonia
Dancers Nina Hyvärinen, Antti Keinänen, Kasperi Kolehmainen, Sofia Ruija
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Carmen
Thu 1.10.2026 at 18:30
Fri 2.10.2026 at 18:30
Sat 3.10.2026 at 15:00
Oulu Music Centre, Madetoja Hall
Authors:
Music Georges Bizet
Performers:
Conductor Maria Itkonen
Choreography and dance Israel Galván
Cantaora, guitar Maria Marin
Carmen Niina Keitel
Don José Timothy Richards
Escamillo Tuomas Pursio
Mieskuoro Huutajat
Oulu Sinfonia