EUROVISION SONG CONTEST - HITS OF FINLAND'S GOLDEN AGE

Friday 05.04.2024 at 6pm Concert Hall

At 4 pm Atrium
EUROVISION BUFFET
See Menu below.
Buffet Packages available for purchase until 1.4.2024.

At 6 pm Concert Hall
CONCERT
Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Jukka Myllys, conductor
Saara Aalto, vocals
Jore Marjaranta, vocals
Mikko Silvennoinen, presenter

The Eurovision Song Contest is approaching again, and the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra is also in the mood! The Eurovision Song Contest – Hits of Finland’s Golden Age concert is filled with the cultural history of Finnish popular music! It is home to Finland’s most memorable Eurovision songs and gems over the years since the 1960s. Many of the songs, such as “Sata salamaa” (‘One hundred lightnings’), “Katson sineen taivaan” (‘I’m looking at the blue sky’) and “Tipitii”, have become all-time audience favourites. During the golden years of the Eurovision Song Contest, a large orchestra was used to back up the singers – now the original versions are performed accompanied by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra and a backing band led by Jukka Myllys.

The gems of the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, through difficulties to success, are interpreted and taken into the sparkling Eurovision atmosphere by the brilliant multitalents Saara Aalto and Jore Marjaranta.

Saara Aalto, renowned for her spectacular performances, is a super-talented interpreter whose voice suits a variety of styles. Aalto, who did well in numerous competitions, made a final breakthrough by coming second in England’s high-standard X-Factor singing contest in 2016. Saara represented Finland in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with her song Monsters, making one of her big dreams finally come true. The pursuit of her Eurovision dream began already in 2004, when, at the age of 16, she participated in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest for the first time as a member of a girl group. Since then, Saara has placed second in Finland’s Eurovision Song Contest Qualifiers twice, with her songs “Blessed With Love” (2011) and “No Fear” (2016), which made her a favourite among Eurovision fans. During her career, Saara has released 7 albums, performed around the world, and performed with Andrea Bocelli, Adam Lambert and Kylie Minogue, among others.

Jore Marjaranta is a singer-songwriter and pop tenor with a beautiful voice who became known in the early 1990s as a member of the Leningrad Cowboys. Over the years, he has also played in bands such as the Albert Järvinen Band and Guitar Slingers. Since 2000, Jore has embarked on a solo career. His best-known songs include “Haaveet kaatuu” (‘Dreams fall down’) from the movie “Pahat Pojat” (‘Bad Boys’) and “Miten pelko lähtee” (‘How fear disappears’) from “Minä ja Morrison” (‘Me and Morrison’), and “Niin kaunis on Helsinki nyt” (‘So beautiful is Helsinki now’). Jore’s new song, “Mikset sä jäänyt” (‘Why didn’t you stay’), was released in October 2021.

The audience will be led into the blue and white Eurovision Song Contest atmosphere by Mikko Silvennoinen who has provided commentary to the Finnish audience of the contest since 2016. Mikko’s commentary is inspiring, and genuine fandom can be heard all the way to the home couch. In addition, Mikko’s postcards are overwhelmingly full of facts about the performances. Mikko’s personal favourite is Poli Genova’s “If Love Was a Crime” (Bulgaria, 2016). Originally from Kiihtelysvaara, North Karelia, Mikko started his career in the “Jyrki” TV programme and works nowadays as an executive producer at the young people’s newsroom at Yle.

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BUFFET MENU
Restaurant Oodi

Soft Tacos
Lime Creme Fraiche
Corn Salsa
Avocado Dip
Pineapple Salsa
Marinated Beans
Green Salad
Cajun Chicken
BBQ Pork
Chili sin Carne

Pina Colada (non-alcoholic)

Deep-fried Tortilla,
Fruit Salsa & Vanilla Creme

Fair Trade Organic Coffee & Tea
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Produced by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra

Tickets: 25 € / 20 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 11 € children under the age of 16 and students and young people under the age of 20
15 € Spring Season Series Ticket Customers (max. 2 discount tickets / Season Series Ticket, available for purchase only at the Kuopio Music Centre ticket sales)

Show & Buffet Package: 64 € / 59 € senior citizens / 50 € students and young people under the age of 20 / 31,50 € children under the age of 16
54 € Spring Season Series Ticket Customers (max. 2 discount show & buffet packages / Season Series Ticket, available for purchase only at the Kuopio Music Centre ticket sales)
Buffet Packages are available for purchase until 1.4. Note that there are a limited amount of packages.

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