The altarpiece painted by Tove Jansson in the Teuva church and the time she spent in the municipality are the frames for the summer 2024 novelty opera. The opera is composed by Uljas Pulkkis, the librettist is Gunilla Hemming.
The novelty opera is part of Korsholma’s music festival.
The idea for the *Tove Teuvalla* opera was born when the corona was punishing the cultural sector.
– The starting point was to come up with a way to jesus the cultural field, which was in the middle of the corona. Eventually the idea swelled and grew into the form of an opera. You can say that things got a little out of hand, Hakala, the chairman of Teuvalainen kultuttuin tuki ry, laughs.
It was important for Hakala to come up with a topic that is genuinely connected to Teuva.
Hakala says that the year 1953 and the altarpiece painted by Tove Jansson in the Teuva church made her thoughts gallop almost instantly.
– The fact that we get to realize the opera in the same church, where Tove has worked and painted the only sacred work of her career, makes all of this unique and absolutely fascinating.
In the background, the trio who refined the idea together
Hakala had a shocking idea in her hands, but had little idea of \u200b\u200bthe possibilities of its implementation.
Professional pianist Ylikallio arrived at the lunch meeting on request to hear about Hakala’s vision – and was smitten.
– I immediately stated that the idea is, to say the least, open-minded, says Ylikallio.
– At the same time, I immediately knew that in the story of Tove Teuva painting an altarpiece, there is a great opportunity for the entire music scene in Ostrobothnia. However, as a professional musician, I knew that there was work, work and work ahead.
Ylikallio admits that he would certainly never have dared to build his own opera as a professional.
– It took Erki’s courage to really get things going. We were probably a good couple in the beginning, when Erkki came up with everything that could be done and I wondered how everything could be implemented, even in theory.
Slowly, the trio Hakala, Ylikallio and Nikander, each with their own skills, took the crazy-sounding idea forward.
– We have a unique story at hand. It has been clear from the beginning that Tove’s personality must be seen and heard in the work. It’s great that we’ve got the best in their field in the work group, Nikander praises.
The composition was completed this year
Hemming says that the libretto is almost ready now.
– You have been able to use a lot of imagination here, which is just great.
Hemming says that in the opera, the themes of Jansson’s altarpiece are reflected in the surrounding construction site and also in the artist’s life.
– Sometimes we even go a little on the comedy side, which suits Tove’s pro-life and humane character and art, Hemming describes.
Hemming says that his own trip to Teuva last summer brought a huge perspective to making the piece.
– At the time of the event, the war had almost just ended, the old church in Teuva had burned down, and Tove, as a young artist, arrived at the farm from Helsinki to paint the altarpiece of the new church. I thought about that situation and it guided me to make certain choices.
Composer Pulkkis also wants to be able to describe the experiences of a Finnish-Swedish artist at a construction site in Ostrobothnia.
– The basis for the composition is Jansson’s joy that he has been able to paint something that will surely be for decades to be seen by people, an altarpiece. Tove’s personality is reflected throughout the composition.
Pulkkis says that his work will be completed this year. It is composed for a small symphony orchestra.
– The successes and contradictions that belong to the painting process belong to the composition. The sounds of the work and the building board approved by Tove also bring details and contrast to the work. In the form of letters, Tove’s personal life can also be revealed, Pulkkis gives revelations about solutions.
Pulkkis considers the fact that the opera is performed in the same place where the events themselves took place as a particularly delicious starting point.
– We get to hear the events in the same sound world where Tove heard the construction site at the time. It is rare and unique, it inspires.
Pulkkis promises that the opera will be life-affirming and cheerful, just like its target – without forgetting the drama inherent in opera.
The roles of the male choir and the female choir
According to Hakala, the father of the idea, the opera costs around 200,000–300,000 euros.
About 100,000 euros have already been collected from the funding through various donations and partners.
Among other things, the opera has received a top project grant of 40,000 euros from the Southern Ostrobothnia Cultural Fund.
The *Tove Teuvalla* opera will have 5–6 soloists and a female and male choir.
The female choir, on the other hand, represents the ten virgins of the altarpiece.
The work is bilingual.
The first music rehearsals are planned to be held in the spring of next year. Stage rehearsals will only be started close to the premiere.
The attraction of four shows
Performances are organized four times over two weekends. Teuva’s church can accommodate around 700 people at a time.
– I believe that Tove and her time at Teuva are so interesting that the tickets are in demand. If there is enough traffic, then additional performances could have been organized, Erkki Hakala reflects.
Milla Virta, the festival director of the Korsholma music festival, is also confident that *Tove Teuvalla* is interested. In recent years, there has even been talk of a Tove boom.
– It is true that Tove is still very interesting. However, you can’t rely too much on that, you also have to market the story to people. But yes, there is a strong feeling here that opera will become the main attraction of our festivals.
*The topic can be discussed until Wednesday, December 8 at 11 p.m.*