Tauno Marttinen: Burnt Orange

Burnt Orange is an opera composed by Tauno Marttinen in 1968, based on the play of the same name by Eeva-Liisa Manner. The world premiere in 1971 won the first prize in the Salzburg Chamber Opera Competition and was performed at the Finnish National Opera in 1975.

​

At the heart of the opera are human indifference and a lack of love. The story revolves around the mental breakdown of young Marina Klein in the atmosphere of a deceitful and loveless home. The protagonist is the daughter of a leather manufacturer who has gone mad, or so her family perceives. The daughter begins speaking gibberish, becomes stuck in her tasks, sometimes lapses into complete silence, and claims that men have no heads. At Doctor Fromm's office, Marina feels understood for the first time. Tauno Marttinen's music explores the deepest emotions of the human mind in the space between madness and wisdom. The opera's title refers to a horse seen in the girl's dreams, named Burnt Orange.

​

Direction: Ville Saukkonen
Conductor: Jaan Ots
Visualization: Hanna Hakkarainen
Lighting Design: Timo Alhanen
Rehearsal Pianist: Armaan Madar
Poster and Projections: Nils Krogell

​

Cast

Elli Vallinoja (Marina)

Rolf Broman (Doctor Fromm)

Maria Turunen (Mother)

Ville Salonen (Father)

Eeva Semerdjiev (Nurse)

 

Orchestra

Violin, Concertmaster: Pekka Häkkinen

Viola: Terhi Lehtiniemi

Double Bass: Malla Lounasheimo

Flute: Arttu Jauhiainen

Clarinet: Lauri Vaahtoranta

Baritone Horn: Neeme Ots

Celesta: Armaan Madar

Percussion: Matti Sunell

 

The production is supported by:
Taike, The Finnish Music Foundation, The City of Helsinki, The City of Hämeenlinna, LähiTapiola.

​