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The Rite of Spring, Helsinki

Tue 29 August 2023
7:00 pm, Musiikkitalo, Helsinki

Conducted by Nicholas Collon, Aurora Orchestra’s interpretation of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring from memory premieres at Helsinki Festival.

Aurora Orchestra performs an interpretation of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring at Helsinki Music Centre. Having premiered in 1913, The Rite of Spring has inspired dozens of multi-artistic productions over a century. The work tore open Western music conventions and still sounds timelessly radical.

Aurora Ochestra’s interpretation incorporates the music and musicians into the stage act in a unique manner. Jane Mitchell and James Bonas’ visually-impressive direction combines the orchestra playing from memory with video designer Anouar Brissel‘s projections, lighting and motion in a way that adds an entirely new perspective to Stravinsky’s masterpiece.

The first half will feature a comprehensive and exciting introduction to the work featuring actors Charlotte Ritchie (Ghosts, You, Call the Midwife) and Karl Queensborough (Hamilton West End), a kind of “living playbill”, which has become a trademark of the Orchestra and Nicholas Collon.

Aurora Orchestra is grateful to the following individuals and organisations for their generous support of this project: Nicholas and Margo Snowman, Richard and Rosamund Bernays, Liz Forgan, Louise Kaye, Michael and Rita Laven, Jonathan Deakin and James Marsh, Richard and Helen Sheldon, Suzanne Szczetnikowicz, Eduardo Tamraz, Garrick Charitable Trust and The Leche Trust. Aurora’s performance is dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Snowman OBE, who died earlier this year.