Turku Music Festival ushers in the autumn with Schubert’s Winterreise, performed by baritone Peter Mattei and pianist David Fray, making their festival début. Repertoire for 2022 to be planned by Klaus Mäkelä.
The Turku Music Festival will have its first autumn concert of the year at Turku Concert Hall on Wednesday 13 October at 18.00. Baritone Peter Mattei and pianist David Fray perform Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise, both performers making their début at the Festival.
In addition to concerts later this year, we are working on the repertoire for 2022, which conductor Klaus Mäkelä has agreed to plan in an extension of his tenure as artistic director of the Turku Music Festival.
The decision by the Southwest Finland Regional State Administrative Agency to abolish the 2-metre social distancing rule was received with much rejoicing at the Turku Music Festival, since it meant that, after the disappointment of having to cancel the Festival at short notice in August, concerts in October could go ahead. The first of these is a recital by Swedish baritone Peter Mattei and French pianist David Fray, featuring Schubert’s classic song cycle Winterreise.
Peter Mattei is one of the most highly appreciated and sought-after singers of our time. He was originally scheduled to perform at the Festival with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Klaus Mäkelä in summer 2020, but the concert was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now he will be here, with pianist David Fray, both of them making their début at the Festival. “I am very pleased to finally be able to appear at the Turku Music Festival and meet its wonderful audience. It is great to be performing again, and I am thrilled to be coming to Finland,” says Peter Mattei.
“After having to cancel his appearance in Turku in 2020, I am pleased that we can now welcome him with this recital programme and that our audience can come hear him and David Fray,” says Liisa Ketomäki, managing director of the Turku Music Festival, back from maternity leave. “Peter Mattei recorded Winterreise quite recently (with pianist Lars David Nilsson), and he is one of my all-time favourite singers. Mattei and Fray will be collaborating on Winterreise for the first time at the Frankfurt Opera and at the Turku Music Festival. I believe it will be a unique experience, besides being a happy occasion in that we will be able to welcome audiences to our concerts again.”
Collaboration with Klaus Mäkelä continues
The Festival continues its collaboration with its artistic director, conductor Klaus Mäkelä, until 2022. Next year’s repertoire is in preparation, and concerts are being scheduled for the Festival proper in August and at other times of the year too. “It is a privilege and a pleasure for the Festival to be able to collaborate further with Klaus Mäkelä on next year’s repertoire. The coronavirus pandemic has robbed us of many opportunities for wonderful experiences, and it has been particularly hard on performers and on everyone in the events industry. Now it is time to look forward, and it is great to be back at the Festival office with a revitalised team,” says Liisa Ketomäki.
Programme and performers
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Winterreise D. 911, to poems by Wilhelm Müller
Peter Mattei, baritone
David Fray, piano
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Tickets for the concert announced today will go on sale at all Lippupiste outlets on 7 September 2021 at 10.00.
Following the practice of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, only half of the capacity of the hall will be sold, with every other seat left empty. All currently valid restrictions and recommendations will be complied with at the concert.
The artistic director of the Turku Music Festival is conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
Further information and requests for interviews
Managing director Liisa Ketomäki, tel.: 040 740 6200, e-mail
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Ticket sales
Tickets to the Turku Music Festival are sold by Lippupiste at all its outlets and at R kiosks nationwide, and online at www.lippu.fi. Booking and sales service and helpline: Monday to Saturday 09.00–16.00 at 066 900 900 (EUR 2 per minute or part thereof + local call charge).
Concert tickets may also be bought at Monitori on Market Square, Aurakatu 8, KOP-kolmio, Monday to Friday 09.00–18.00 and Saturday 10.00–15.00.
Bookings are also accepted at the Turku Music Festival office: .