Naisen ääni/Woman´s Voice

The mini-opera Naisen ääni (Woman's Voice) focuses on Tampere's iconic factory history and its cotton girls.

Naisen ääni is a 20-minute premiere for soprano, choir, and orchestra, created by composer Minna Leinonen and librettist-director Marika Vapaavuori. The work, which celebrates 120 years of women's suffrage and the 80-year history of the Tampere Opera, will premiere at the opening of Tampere Light Week on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the free urban space of Tampere's Koskipuisto Park.

Naisen ääni focuses on Hilja Pärssinen (1876–1935), one of the 19 women elected to the Finnish Parliament in the historic 1906 election. The role of Pärssinen will be sung by Tuuli Takala, one of Finland's most internationally renowned sopranos.

The orchestral parts of the work for the open-air performance will be recorded by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Ruut Kiiski. The Tampere Opera Choir will perform on site in Koskipuisto. The Light Weeks projections on the walls of factory buildings and the rapids of Tammerkoski will play a major visual role.

"A Woman's Voice is an impressive open-air work that is accessible to everyone. This insightful mini-opera combines Tampere's working-class history, social debate, and opera in a unique way that allows the general public to become part of the events. This anniversary commission is a joyful celebration of Finnish women's suffrage and the history of the Tampere Opera," says Suvi Leinonen, Artistic Director of the Tampere Opera.