Joonas Kokkonen: The Last Temptations

Tampere Opera and the Savonlinna Opera Festival present:

Joonas Kokkonen: The Last Temptations

Tampere Opera’s performances and tickets

Main Auditorium, Tampere Hall

Wed 5 March 2025 at 7 pm (Premiere)

Fri 7 March 2025 at 7 pm

Sat 8 March 2025 at 3 pm

Wed 12 March 2025 at 7 pm

Fri 14 March 2025 at 7 pm

Sat 15 March 2025 at 3 pm

Tickets 110/98/78 €

Pensioners 102/90/70 €

Children (until 16-year-olds) and students 40 €

Please be prepared to present the certificate entitling you to the discount ticket (e.g. student card) to the Tampere Hall staff.

Duration approximately 2 h 40 min including one intermission (30 min). The performance is in Finnish. Surtitles are available in Finnish and English. Filming, photographing, or recording during the performance is prohibited.

The Last Temptations is a co-production between Tampere Opera and the Savonlinna Opera Festival, in collaboration with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Joonas Kokkonen: The Last Temptations

The opera The Last Temptations (1975) by Joonas Kokkonen (1921–1996) is one of the most successful and popular Finnish operas of all time. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of its premiere.

The opera tells the story of the life and final days of the lay preacher Paavo Ruotsalainen and his wife Riitta in the 19th century. In the opera, Paavo Ruotsalainen lies on his deathbed and relives the most decisive moments of his life in a state of delirium. The composer included the familiar folk chorale Sinuhun turvaan, Jumala (In thee I trust, my God) in the opera, where it plays an important role. 

A landmark in Finnish opera

The role of Paavo was originally composed for the legendary Martti Talvela. In the new anniversary production it is sung by bass Mika Kares, one of the most successful opera singers in the world today.

‘Paavo Ruotsalainen’s thoughts on his deathbed, his account of a life lived and the somewhat dreamlike atmosphere of the work captivate us and feed our imagination. My direction pays tribute to the spirit of the centenary year, but is at the same time rhythmic and even playful’, says director Mikko Kouki.