The 35th Oulu Music Festival offers a vibrant lineup featuring a big band concert for all ages, video game music, a cappella, and dance – not to mention the 35th Anniversary Concert of the Oulu Music Festival itself.
Oulu Music Festival has been held annually since 1991, following the Madetoja Week event of the 1980s. For nearly 35 years, the festival has brought together music, deep emotion, collaboration, and cultural heritage. The core festival genres of classical and rhythm music will be strongly represented in this anniversary program.
“The anniversary program is like a delicious celebration cake – filled with enchanting delights and something for every taste! I can hardly wait to share these experiences with our audience,” says Maria Mannermaa, acting CEO of Oulu Music Festival.
The 2025 program has been curated by the festival’s artistic directors, pianist-composer Kari Ikonen and soprano Mari Palo, with the full program to be released across Oulu Music Festival's channels later in 2024. The visual design for the 2025 festival has been crafted by Oulu-based designer and illustrator Anna Sofia Vuorinen.
Wide Range of Productions at Madetoja Hall – Dance, A Cappella, and Video Game Music
In the festival’s opening concert, Finland’s top a cappella group Club For Five celebrates its 25th anniversary with a concert featuring highlights of their career and new directions. Club For Five performs at Madetoja Hall on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Scenes from the Red God, a dance piece by Atte Kilpinen and Valtteri Lehtinen, explores themes of life, death, and love. This dramatic dialogue dance work draws on ancient myths and mystical paintings, combining music, acting, and dance. Co-produced with JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre, it will be performed at Madetoja Hall on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m.
For video game music enthusiasts, the SCORE Game Music Concert will be held at Madetoja Hall on March 20 and 21, 2025. Oulu Symphony will perform music from popular games, including Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario, The Last of Us, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Known for her interpretations of game music, soprano Sabina Zweiacker will perform selections such as “Lullaby of Woe” from The Witcher and “The Dragonborn Comes” from Skyrim. The concert will be hosted by SCORE producer Orvar Säfström.
Avant-Garde Melodrama Pierrot Lunaire
On Saturday, March 22, Pierrot Lunaire, an avant-garde melodrama, invites audiences into Pierrot's mad world. This cult classic explores themes of love, madness, and death, featuring a distinctive Sprechstimme style, where singing and speaking blend. Maria Ylipää’s exceptional stage presence and Carl Knif’s direction guide audiences into Pierrot's realm. The second half of the concert features Berlin-inspired works from the early 1900s, including pieces from Babylon Berlin, Spoliansky, and Marzi Nyman.
Oulu Music Festival 35th Anniversary Concert Featuring Sibelius Arrangements by Jaakko Kuusisto
On Friday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m., Oulu Symphony will perform in celebration of the festival’s 35th anniversary at Madetoja Hall. The concert begins with Leevi Madetoja’s symphonic poem Kullervo Overture, followed by pianist Anton Mejias performing Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. The concert continues with beloved songs by Jean Sibelius, arranged by the late Jaakko Kuusisto. Pianist and current artistic director Kari Ikonen’s composition Guezo, infusing the evening with West African rhythms, rounds off the program, with saxophonist Jukka Perko joining Ikonen in the final pieces. Festivities will start at 5:45 p.m. with interviews at Restaurant Preludi.
Magic Blanket Family Concert
As always, the festival includes family programming. OASBB feat. Satu Sopanen – Magic Blanket is a joyful musical journey led by Satu Sopanen of Pikku Kakkonen fame with the Oulu All Star Big Band. This concert for all ages takes place at Valvesali on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. (Recommended for ages 4+).
For more information, visit omj.fi.