Sweeney Todd
Tampere Opera presents Stephen Sondheim’s modern musical classic as a staged and visually enriched concert version.
Information
Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A Musical Thriller in Concert
Performances
Main Auditorium, Tampere Hall
Thu 8 January 2026 at 6.30 PM
Fri 9 January 2026 at 6.30 PM
Sat 10 January 2026 at 3 PM
Duration: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes, including an intermission.
Performed in Finnish. Please note that there are no English surtitles in the concert.
Sweeney Todd contains scenes that may not be suitable for sensitive viewers. Recommended for audiences aged 12 and up.
There are flashing lights in one scene.
Tickets
Standard tickets: €70 / €60 / €55
Pensioners: €66.50 / €56.50 / €51.50
Children and youth (up to 16 years) and students: €25
Please be prepared to present a valid certificate of eligibility for a discount (e.g. student card) to the Tampere Hall staff.
Stage ticket (includes pie serving) €40 SOLD OUT
Ticket to the performance
Seat at a pub-style table on the front stage
A savory pie (meat or vegetarian, also available gluten-free)
Do you want to spice up your musical experience and make it unforgettable? Purchase tickets to Mrs. Lovett’s cockroach-infested pie shop – right in the middle of the show’s most gruesome events! The special ticket includes a piece of pie.
At stage seats, audience members sit at pub tables set on the front stage of the Main Auditorium, on backless wooden benches. Please note that these stage seats are not accessible, performers and the orchestra are very close by, and the viewing angle is not optimal.
Only a handful of stage tickets are available for each performance, so act quickly. Tickets are unnumbered. Our staff will guide guests to their tables before the performance begins.
Drinks are not included in the ticket price. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be ordered separately from our staff to the tables. Due to licensing regulations, only audience members aged 18 and above may sit in the stage seating area.
Tampere Opera presents a thrilling concert version of Sweeney Todd with Ville Rusanen and Maria Ylipää
Tampere Opera presents Stephen Sondheim’s modern musical classic Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as a staged and visually enriched concert version at Tampere Hall. The thrilling tale of revenge and meat pies will be performed with Juice Leskinen’s Finnish translation over three performances from 8 to 10 January 2026. Leading roles will be sung by Ville Rusanen and Maria Ylipää. The production will be directed by Tuomas Parkkinen. Eeva Kontu will conduct the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, the soloists and the Tampere Opera choir.
Tampere Opera will bring the concert version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the Main Auditorium of Tampere Hall on 8–10 January 2026, with a total of three performances.
Composed and written by Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021) with a book by Hugh Wheeler (1912–1987), Sweeney Todd is a modern horror-comedy classic set in Victorian London, telling the gruesome story of a barber who murders his customers. The musical explores themes of revenge through dark humour.
Since its Broadway premiere in 1979, Sweeney Todd has fascinated audiences and critics alike, winning eight Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for Best Musical. The 2007 film adaptation was directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
In Finland, the musical was first staged in 1997 by the Finnish National Opera, where it attracted over 41,000 viewers across 38 performances. The Finnish translation was made by the legendary singer-songwriter Juice Leskinen (1950–2006). The Tampere concert performances will also use Leskinen’s translation.
The concert version in Tampere will be directed by Tuomas Parkkinen. The 50-member Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Eeva Kontu. Costume design and visualisation is by Anna Sinkkonen, lighting design by Ville Syrjä, and make-up and hair design by Johanna Vänttinen. The Tampere Opera ensemble choir assembled for the production is being coached by Heikki Liimola and Kalle Ruusukallio.
Baritone Ville Rusanen will perform the title role of the vengeful barber, while Maria Ylipää will portray Mrs. Lovett, the infamous pie-maker of London. The other soloists include Martti Manninen, Marika Hölttä, Juha Pikkarainen, Petrus Kähkönen, Essi Luttinen, Dan Karlström and Jukka Nylund.
“Sondheim’s masterpiece Sweeney Todd combines all the elements I value in theatre and that fuel my passion for this work: an unexpected storyline, edgy characters, witty lyrics, memorable melodies, and rich orchestration. Add to that the Victorian setting and the macabre events – what’s not to love? Sweeney Todd is a brilliantly crafted musical thriller that appeals to both the intellect and the heart. Directing it is a dream come true,” says director Tuomas Parkkinen.
Baritone Ville Rusanen is one of Finland’s most renowned opera singers and a highly anticipated guest at Tampere Opera. In addition to his opera roles, Rusanen is remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the Finnish National Opera’s production of The Phantom of the Opera from 2015 to 2024.
Actress-singer Maria Ylipää, one of Finland’s most luminous artists, is known for her numerous musical theatre, film, and television roles. Her most significant musical theatre achievement has been starring in Kristina från Duvemåla, the celebrated musical by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, in over 300 performances across Helsinki, Gothenburg, and Stockholm.
The Artistic Team
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Finnish translation by Juice Leskinen
Directed by Tuomas Parkkinen
Music direction by Eeva Kontu
Chorus coaching by Heikki Liimola and Kalle Ruusukallio
Costume design by Anna Sinkkonen
Lighting design by Ville Syrjä
Make-up and hair design Johanna Vänttinen
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Tampere Opera Choir
From an adaptation by Christopher Bond
Originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards, in association with Dean and Judy Manos
The Cast
Sweeney Todd Ville Rusanen
Rouva Lovett Maria Ylipää
Anthony Hope Martti Manninen
Johanna Barker Marika Hölttä
Judge Turpin Juha Pikkarainen
Tobias Ragg Petrus Kähkönen
The Beggar Woman / Lucy Barker Essi Luttinen
Adolfo Pirelli Dan Karlström
Beadle Bamford Jukka Nylund
Sweeney Todd is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. More information: mtishows.com
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Production by Tampere Opera
The Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation has supported the development of opera and chamber music activities at Tampere Hall during the years 2024–2025.
Soloists
Baritone Ville Rusanen, who sings the title role of the vengeful barber, is one of Finland’s most renowned opera singers and a highly anticipated guest at Tampere Opera. In addition to his operatic roles, Rusanen is also widely remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the Finnish National Opera’s production of The Phantom of the Opera from 2015 to 2024.
The role of Mrs Lovett, who bakes London’s most suspicious pies, is sung by actor-singer Maria Ylipää, one of Finland’s most charismatic artists, known for her numerous roles in musical theatre, film, and television. Ylipää’s most significant musical theatre role has been in the hit musical Kristina från Duvemåla by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, which she performed in approximately 300 performances in Helsinki, Gothenburg, and Stockholm.
Actor Martti Manninen, who has risen to the top of Finland’s musical theatre scene, will perform the role of young Anthony Hope. As a resident actor of the Helsinki City Theatre, his recent acclaimed roles include Christian (Moulin Rouge!), Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid), and Artturi (Let’s Play Business).
The role of Sweeney Todd’s daughter Johanna Barker will be sung by coloratura soprano Marika Hölttä, celebrated for her vocal versatility and stage presence. In addition to numerous opera and concert appearances, Hölttä charmed audiences as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera at the Finnish National Opera in autumn 2024.
The devilish Judge Turpin will be portrayed by bass-baritone Juha Pikkarainen, who has performed on opera and theatre stages across Finland and has been a permanent singer at the Finnish National Opera since 2020. He is also remembered for his portrayal of Paavo Ruotsalainen in The Last Temptations with the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra in spring 2025.
Actor, voice actor and singer Petrus Kähkönen will take the role of Tobias Ragg, the apprentice of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett. Kähkönen has starred in leading roles at Finland’s largest theatres, including Kinky Boots at the Helsinki City Theatre and the Tampere Workers’ Theatre, as well as Anastasia and The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Tampere Theatre.
The double role of the Beggar Woman and Lucy Barker will be sung by the expressive and award-winning mezzo-soprano Essi Luttinen, whose wide-ranging repertoire spans from early baroque to entertainment music and contemporary opera. She is the Artistic Director of Opera Skaala and a familiar guest at the Finnish National Opera, the Savonlinna Opera Festival, and with numerous orchestras as a soloist.
The role of the scheming rival barber Adolfo Pirelli will be sung by tenor Dan Karlström, who knows Sweeney Todd well: Karlström made his debut at the Finnish National Opera as Tobias Ragg in 1997. He has been a stable member of the ensemble of the Opera Leipzig since 2001 and has performed major roles on Europe’s most renowned opera stages, with a wide repertoire that spans opera, operetta, and musical theatre.
Playing the role of Beadle Bamford, Jukka Nylund is a multifaceted music and theatre professional – actor, voice actor, singer, director, translator, composer, and musician. A devoted Stephen Sondheim fan, he has been the Artistic Director of Turku’s Samppalinna Summer Theatre since 2022.
Orchestra and choir
Concert line-up:
Violin I
Maria Itkonen 1st concertmaster tp.
Lea Antola *tp.
Liina Nuora-Loijas ***
Lotta Laaksonen
Ivi Ots
István Szalay
Jaakko Nordman
Linda Halme tp.
Violin II
Kaia Voitka *
Erkki Louko **tp.
Heidi Kuula **
Anna Angervo
Heikki Hannikainen
Kirsi Korpela-Pulkkinen
Kristine Lilientale-Birzniece
Anni Ylikallio
Viola
György Balázs *
Heili Hannikainen
Anne Korhonen
Anni Tiainen-Hammo
Cello
Simon Svoboda ***
Reinis Birznieks
Miika Jämsä
Maija Juuti
Sampo Liukko
Double bass
Jarkko Uimonen *
Heikki Lehtinen
Oboe
Lucia Castillo ***tp.
Flute
Annaleena Jämsä *
Nina Johnson ***
Clarinet
Janne Pesonen ***
Reetta Näätänen
Bassoon
Ananta Diaz Keller ***tp.
Horn
Pauliina Koskela ***
Trumpet
Xiang Guo *
Tamás Mészáros ***
Trombone
Antti Hirvonen *
Vygantas Silinskas **
Mikhail Kapustin ***
Timpani
Jarmo Niininen ***tp.
Percussion
Jyri Kurri *
Harp
Kirsti Vartiainen *
Keyboard
Maritta Manner *tp.
Principal *
Co-Principal **
Assistant Principal ***
Temporary tp.
Read more about the orchestra: tamperefilharmonia.fi
Concert line-up:
Soprano
Enni Hakala
Aliina Hiljanen
Vilja Kaarento
Meri Kettunen
Veera Lapila
Suvituuli Lehtovirta
Fanni Palmanto
Sanni Reilin
Elli Sainio
Dora Seitovirta (cover: Johanna Barker)
Anna Suurmäki-Lesonen
Alto
Veera Aaltonen
Veera Hölsö
Johanna Kalmari
Sanna Meretvuo
Leena Rantala
Heidi Simelius
Vilma Törmälä
Jemina Vallius
Tenor
Joonas-Ville Hietaniemi
Jussi-Matias Korhonen (role: Mr. Fogg)
Aimo Laitamo
Mikael Lehtinen
Matti Skyttä
Juho Taskinen
Kristian Teiss
Marko Tuupainen
Baritone
Nicolas Gosalvez
Tommi Grönberg
George Kerola
Juuso Porras
Viljami Rosvall
Janne Salmenkangas
Matti Sipilä
Antti Sipola
Bass
Hugo Huotari
Theo Maijala
Juha Ritalahti
Jari Taattola
Kalle Tarikka
Choir solo parts:
Juho Taskinen
Aimo Laitamo
Juuso Porras
Viljami Rosvall
Veera Lapila
Vilja Kaarento
Vilma Törmälä
Johanna Kalmari
Juho Taskinen
Marko Tuupainen
Marko Tuupainen
Heidi Simelius
George Kerola
Tommi Grönberg
Juha Ritalahti
Janne Salmenkangas
Matti Skyttä
Veera Aaltonen
Veera Hölsö
Juuso Porras
Tommi Grönberg
Heidi Simelius
Dora Seitovirta
Anna Suurmäki-Lesonen
Juho Taskinen
Did you know that at this performance you can enjoy refreshments in the auditorium!
The Boxes A and B in the Main Auditorium are designated as age-restricted (18+) areas for this performance. Audience members with tickets for these boxes may bring drinks purchased before the show or during the interval into the auditorium. Please note that the age limit of 18 is strictly enforced – minors are not permitted in the licensed seating area.
Ask for a group offer
If your party includes 10 or more people
you can ask for a group offer:
ryhmamyynti@tampere-talo.fi
tel. 03 243 4501 (Mon to Fri from 10 am to 4 pm)
Complement your experience by staying under the same roof
The Courtyard Tampere City hotel, attached to Tampere Hall, offers the perfect experience. When you book accommodation for your visit through us, you get partner rates. Welcome to enjoy yourself!
Photo: Laura Vanzo, Visit Tampere
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