Oulu Music Festival Celebrates its 35th Anniversary March 11–23, 2025 – First Program Announcements Released!
The 35th anniversary of the Oulu Music Festival will feature a vibrant selection of performances, including a family-friendly big band concert, game music, a cappella, and dance – along with the Oulu Music Festival’s 35th Anniversary Concert.
The Oulu Music Festival has been held since 1991, with roots in the Madetoja Week event from the 1980s. For nearly 35 years, the festival has delivered profound emotions, musical collaboration, and a rich musical heritage. The anniversary program features classical music and rhythm music, both central to the festival’s history.
“The anniversary program is like a delicious celebration cake—full of captivating delights, with layers and toppings to suit all tastes! I can hardly wait to share these experiences with the audience,” exclaims the Music Festival’s Acting Managing Director, Maria Mannermaa.
The 2025 program has been curated by the festival's artistic directors, soprano Mari Palo and pianist-composer Kari Ikonen. The full program will be released on the Oulu Music Festival channels later in 2024.
The festival's visual identity for 2025 has been designed by Oulu-based visual designer and illustrator Anna Sofia Vuorinen.
Madetoja Hall Presents a Range of Grand Productions – Including Dance, A Cappella, and Game Music
In honor of the festival’s 35th anniversary, Finnish a cappella powerhouse Club For Five will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Known across Finland and internationally, the group will perform a comprehensive retrospective of their career and a look into the future in the Festival Opening Concert at Madetoja Hall on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 18:30.
Atte Kilpisen and Valtteri Lehtisen Scenes from the Red God is a dramatic dialogue-dance piece that explores life, death, and love. The work draws inspiration from ancient myths and mystical paintings, blending music, acting, and dance. This production, created in collaboration with JoJo - Oulu Dance Center , will be performed at Madetoja Hall on Sunday, March 16, at 15:00.
For game music fans, the SCORE – ORCHESTRAL GAME MUSIC will take place at Madetoja Hall on Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, 2025. Oulu Symphony will bring to life some of the most exciting and beloved video game scores in a concert that transports the audience to symphonic journeys in wondrous worlds and adventures. The program will feature fan favorites like Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario, and The Last of Us, as well as new additions like Sonic the Hedgehog and Bloodborne. Known for her stunning video game music interpretations, soprano Sabina Zweiacker will perform pieces such as “Lullaby of Woe” from The Witcher and “The Dragonborn Comes” from Skyrim. SCORE producer Orvar Säfström will host the evening.
The avant-garde melodrama Moonstruck Pierrot will take the audience into the mad world of Pierrot at Madetoja Hall on Saturday, March 22, at 18:00. A cult classic, this piece follows the story of Pierrot, addressing themes of love, madness, and death. An unreal atmosphere is created by the soprano’s Sprechstimme, a style that lies between singing and speaking. Maria Ylipää's extraordinary stage charisma and Calr Knif's brilliant direction bring the audience into Pierrot’s world. In the second half, music from the cultural scene of early 20th-century Berlin will be featured, including works inspired by or from Babylon Berlin, Spoliansky, and Marzi Nyman. from Babylon Berlin, Spoliansky, and Marzi Nyman.
Oulu Music Festival’s 35th Anniversary Concert Features Works Including Sibelius Arranged by Jaakko Kuusisto
The 35th Anniversary Concert will take place at Madetoja Hall on Friday, March 18, at 18:30.
The concert opens with Kullervo Overture, a symphonic poem by Leevi Madetoja, a prominent figure in Finnish Romantic music, followed by beloved songs by Jean Sibelius, arranged by the late Jaakko Kuusisto Jaakko Kuusiston , former Artistic Director of Oulu Music Festival. After intermission, pianist Anton Mejias will perform as the soloist in Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major. The current Artistic Director Kari Ikonen's piece Guezo will bring a West African rhythm to the evening, looking toward the future. The evening's final pieces will feature Ikonen along with the festival’s former Artistic Director, saxophonist Jukka Perko. The magnificent Oulu Symphony, which has been a festival partner since the pre-festival Madetoja Week, will be the concert’s powerful backbone.
The celebrations will kick off with interviews highlighting the festival’s history at Restaurant Preludi at 17:45 before the concert.
Satu Sopanen and OASBB Invite Kids and the Young at Heart on an Adventure with The Magic Blanket
The festival has a tradition of family programming, and this anniversary year is no exception. The Magic Blanket concert, featuring OASBB and Satu Sopanen, promises fun and sing-alongs for the whole family. Emmy Award-winning Satu Sopanen, familiar from Pikku Kakkonen, will take audiences on a joyful adventure around the world with the Oulu All Star Big Band, with familiar friends like Mouse Hupakko and Camel, not to mention the classic Hunting the Lion. Ralf Nyqvist will conduct the concert.
The Magic Blanket concert will take place at Valvesali Hall in Cultural Center Valve on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 14:00. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Explore the full program on the Upcoming Concerts page.