Four nights. Hundreds of performers. One unforgettable experience. Leonard Bernstein’s MASS is a music theatre phenomenon of epic scale – a once-in-a-lifetime event, unlikely to be seen again this far north.
Best known for West Side Story, American composer Bernstein transforms the Catholic Mass into a dazzling Broadway-style spectacle. Instead of solemn sermons, MASS bursts with infectious rhythms, sweeping melodies, monumental choral scenes and soul-stirring arias in Latin, Hebrew and English. On stage – and all around it – a full symphony orchestra joins forces with choirs, vocal soloists, dancers, a rock band and even a military band.
Premiered in 1971 at the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, MASS now comes to Finland for the very first time – as a breathtaking fusion of light, music and movement, filling the vast Oulu Hall arena. The lead role is sung by baritone Ville Rusanen, with Oulu Sinfonia conducted by Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba.
Produced by Oulu Sinfonia in collaboration with JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre, Dance Teacher Education of Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Lapland Military Band.
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Oulu is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. MASS is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and cultural climate change.
Permission given by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited.
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Mari Palo soprano
Aki Saarela tenor
Joonas Orrain baritone
Dancers from JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre: Hanna Appel, Liisa Heikkinen and Verna Tainio
Oulu University of Applied Sciences / Dance teacher education
Street Chorus
Soma Ensemble and Project Choir
Music Classes of Teuvo Pakkala School
Lapland Military Band
Oulu Sinfonia
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
Programme:
Leonard Bernstein: MASS (Finnish Premiere)
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