Finnish National Ballet to perform The Snow Queen in Copenhagen in January
The Finnish National Ballet will be visiting Copenhagen, Denmark in January 2017, giving four performances of the ballet The Snow Queen by Artistic Director Kenneth Greve at the Royal Danish Ballet between 27 and 29 January 2017. The premiere is already sold out, and tickets for other performances are also selling fast.
The Snow Queen has been a huge success in Helsinki, playing to sold-out houses, and it seems only natural to take it to Copenhagen, since not only is it based on the story by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, but Kenneth Greve is also Danish and a former principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet. Greve relocated the action to early 20th-century Finland. The enchanting music to the ballet, written by Tuomas Kantelinen, will be played in Copenhagen from a recording made by the Orchestra of the FNOB.
The Snow Queen is a work for the whole family based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. “My wish is not only that children will be enchanted by the thrilling adventures of this ballet, but also that parents will look in the mirror after the performance and perhaps see themselves in a new light,” says Kenneth Greve when asked about his production and Andersen's classic tale.
Greve has set the story in early 20th-century Finland, carrying the main characters of the story on a journey from Helsinki through foreign lands to Lapland. “The Snow Queen is my tribute to Finnish culture and the Finnish way of life,” he explains. The Finnish emphasis is also reflected in the work of costume designer Erika Turunen and the visualisation of lighting designer Mikki Kunttu, who have jointly created the overall set design. Pekka Helynen is the artist behind the production’s make-up look.
The musical score for The Snow Queen is by well-known film music composer Tuomas Kantelinen. The movie-like score including several special effects was recorded by the Orchestra of the FNOB and will be heard as playback in these performances. This has allowed the stage to be extended out over the orchestra pit, bringing the performers closer to the audience.
In the performances in Copenhagen, the role of Grandmother, the narrator, will be taken by Danish actress Vibeke Hastrup, who has created a 30-year career as an actress in numerous films, TV series and stage productions.
The visit by the FNB is one of the international top moments of the celebrations for the centenary of Finland’s independence. Members of the Danish royal family, including Queen Margrethe II, have been invited to attend.
Kenneth Greve - Tuomas Kantelinen: The Snow Queen
Performances at the Royal Danish Ballet: 27 Jan 2017 at 19:30; 28 Jan at 15:00 and 19:30; 29 Jan at 12:00
Finnish National Opera and Ballet / Communications
Communications Manager Johanna Järventaus +358 9 4030 2322
Researcher Juhani Koivisto +358 9 4030 2215
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Communications Specialist Jussi Iltanen +358 9 4030 2223 (ballet)
Communications Specialist Emilia Vähätalo +358 40 832 1611 (digital communication)
Communications Coordinator Tuike Lehko +358 50 439 2710
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