Rakkaat directed by Riikka Oksanen. Photo from the first performance: Minna Leinonen

How does a woman sing about love without slipping into the gender roles of the 19th century? Rakkaat is loosely based on Adelbert von Chamisso´s poems and Schumann's song cycle entitled Frauenliebe und -leben, expanding its concept of love and the beloved to speak to the modern-day listener.

Songs can also be performed separately. 

Poems of the song cycle were written by Milka Luhtaniemi.

The Loved ones is dedicated to soprano Hanna Rantala. Thank you for fantastic collaboration also for poet Milka Luhtaniemi, pianist Fanny Söderström, audio designer Maija Turunen and director Riikka Oksanen. 

The work was written, rehearsed and composed with support from Kone Foundation, Taideyliopiston tohtorikoulutuksen ja tutkimuksen ohjausryhmä, Sibelius-Akatemian tukisäätiö, Arts Promotion Center Finland, Sibelius Foundation.

Performances

8th March 2024 Musiikkitalo Camerata

Hanna Rantala, soprano

Fanny Söderström, piano

Milka Luhtaniemi, poems

Riikka Oksanen, director

Maija Turunen, sound design