Sometimes Too Much, Always Too Little

Based on a true story – a touchingly honest and ridiculously true portrayal of life within the multifaceted reality of being an artist.

Opera singer. Airport. Evening. Hair in disarray. Bar counter. Bartender. Orchestra. Internationally acclaimed opera singer (Helena Juntunen) is on her way to Graz, Austria, heading toward a doomed production. The airport bartender (Kari-Pekka Toivonen) dreams of the jazz gigs that never happened. In the mysterious in-between space of the terminal, these two strangers share a brief but unforgettable moment. Through sincere humor and exuberant melancholy, they reflect on dreams and reality, the joy and terror of performing, public criticism, the acoustics of the Sydney Opera House, the pianist at the bar, the oddities of opera, and a job that sometimes becomes too much.

The story is driven by new compositions from Iiro Rantala, one of Finland’s most esteemed composers. Expect rhythmically infectious melodies, performed on stage by the phenomenal musicians Jukka Perko (saxophone) and Ville Herrala (bass).

The performance is based on the autobiographical novel Joskus liikaa, aina liian vähän (Sometimes Too Much, Always Too Little, Otava/2023) by Helena Juntunen and Petri Tamminen, and premiered on October 1, 2025, at Sometimes Too Much, Always Too Little (Otava/2023) pohjautuva esitys sai kantaesityksensä 1.10.2025 Music Theatre Kapsäkki. Antti Rönkä The libretto is written by award-winning young-generation author Antti Rönkä, and the production is directed by Kari-Pekka Toivonen.

Sometimes Too Much, Always Too Little tells a story that many will recognize — about brilliance, admiration, setbacks, and the resilience it takes to rise again and again.

“Helena Juntunen shines in her own story. The emotional range spans from exhaustion to exuberance and from tenderness to near bawdiness. Iiro Rantala’s music plays almost continuously throughout the performance. It’s a successful blend of styles, from strong jazz influences to musical theatre.” — Airi Vilhunen / Kirsi’s Book Club

Original text: Helena Juntunen and Petri Tamminen
Script and lyrics: Antti Rönkä
Direction: Kari-Pekka Toivonen
Composer: Iiro Rantala
Set, lighting, and sound design: Max Marshall
Cast: Helena Juntunen and Kari-Pekka Toivonen
Musicians: Iiro Rantala (piano), Jukka Perko (saxophone) and Ville Herrala (bass)

Duration approx. 1 h 10 min (no intermission)

The concert is part of the 2026 Oulu Music Festival.

Tickets

39 € normal / 35 € pensioner / 29 € discount groups

Available through Ticketmaster Finland nationwide. Prices include handling fees. Tickets without handling fees are available from the Valve ticket office. A service fee of €3 per order will be charged for purchases from the Ticketmaster ticket shop, or €1.50 per order when purchasing from the Ticketmaster online store.

A limited number of Kaikukortti-tickets are available.

Ticket Sales Locations

Ticketmaster Finland nationwide
Oulu Sinfonia ticket office, Leevi Madetojan katu 3
Ticket office of Cultural Centre Valve, Hallituskatu 7, Oulu.
At the door one hour before the concert

Accessibility

The first-floor facilities of Pohjankartano are accessible. There are unobstructed routes to the lobbies, halls, and restaurant areas. Wheelchair spaces are located on the back row of the Pohjankartano Hall. An assistant may have a separate chair next to the wheelchair user. The accessible restroom is located further down the school corridor, on the same level as the lobby. The hall is also equipped with a hearing loop. For more information, visit the Oulu Music Centre website: oulunmusiikkikeskus.fi.

The organizer reserves the right to make changes.

Kuva: Helena Juntusen kotialbumi / Graafinen suunnittelu: Joona Aalto

Oulun Musiikkijuhlien 2026 ilme: Anna Sofia Vuorinen