ODE TO JOY at 200

Thursday 12.12.2024 at 6pm Concert Hall

Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Beethoven Chorus
Eugene Tzigane, conductor
Sonja Herranen, soprano
Merja Mäkelä, mezzosoprano
Tuomas Katajala, tenor
Johannes Held, baritone
Jaana Turunen, choir conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 9

“On May 7th, 1824, a deaf and ailing Ludwig van Beethoven mounted the podium at the Theater am Kärntnertor, to conduct the premiere of his newest symphony. There was a massive orchestra and choir gathered before him. Vienna’s elite including Franz Schubert, Carl Czerny, and the Austrian Chancellor Klemens von Metternich came to witness the birth of the latest work from the great musical genius. Though Beethoven “conducted”, it was actually Michael Umlauf, the Kapellmeister of the Kärntnertor Theater, whom the musicians followed. Applause broke out constantly, sometimes even during movements. After the end of the performance, Beethoven was still the orchestra only he could hear. It was then that the contralto, Carolina Unger, gently turned the master around to see a theater full of cheering audience members, who waved hats and handkerchiefs to signal to the deaf composer their joy and hearty approval of his gigantic new masterpiece. It was a triumphant event and one that would change the course of music history. 2024 marks the 200th Anniversary of the Ode to Joy. It is with great pleasure and pride that we honor Beethoven and his legacy with our very own performance of “The Ninth”.”

(Eugene Tzigane)

Produced by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: 35 € / 30 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 20 € children under the age of 16 and students and young people under the age of 20
10 € Autumn Season Series Ticket or Mini Series 1 / 2 Customers (max. 2 discount tickets / Season Series Ticket or Mini Series 1 or 2 ticket, available for purchase only at the Kuopio Music Centre ticket sales)

Prices include the Kuopio Music Centre service fee 2 € / ticket. The service fees vary depending on the place of purchase.