I Maestri present: Finlandia - a Celebration of Independence and 150 years of Sibelius

Event information

Our December concert highlights almost 100 years of the Finnish declaration of independence and 150th year of Jean Sibelius's birth.

The celebration begins with Jean Sibelius's Karelia Suite, Opus 11, written in 1893 for the Viipuri Students' Association. The rough-hewn character of the music was deliberate - the aesthetic intention was not to dazzle with technique but to capture the quality of "naive," folk-based authenticity. Historical comments have noted the nationalistic character of the music. Of which Sibelius is celebrated for bring a sense of true musical identity to Finland.

The concert will end with Finlandia, Opus 26, a symphonic poem written in 1899 and revised in 1900, and composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899; a covert protest against increasing censorship from the Russian Empire, and was the last of seven pieces performed as an accompaniment to a tableau depicting episodes from Finnish history, and based on the 'Kalevala' epic of Finnish mythology.

Widely recognized as his country's national composer, Sibelius is often credited for supporting the rise of the Finnish national identity in the country's struggle for independence.

I Maestri will perform an all Sibelius programme with Finnish Soprano Mia Huhta and Conductors: Miguel Esteban & George Hlawiczka.

Concert programme:

Karelia Suite, Op. 11
Luonnotar, Op. 70
Swan of Tuonela, Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 No.2
Lemminkäinen's Return, Lemminkäinen Suite, Op.22 No.4
Symphony No.3, Op.52
Finlandia, Op. 26

I Maestri Orchestra

Box Office opens at 5:45pm

Please note that tickets will not be posted out and need to be collected from the Box Office on the day of the performance