Sweeney Todd

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.

Sweeney Todd contains scenes that may not be suitable for sensitive viewers. Recommended for audiences aged 12 and up.

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.

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 will be announced later.

“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

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.