The Finnish National Moomin Ballet show will go on tour to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan in April 2017
The Finnish National Ballet will tour Japan with six performances at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo on 22–25 April and two in Osaka on 29–30 April.
Nearly half of the members of the FNB, about 40, will go on the tour. The programme will include a gala performance featuring extracts from the FNB’s foremost productions.
Moomin ballet specifically designed for the Japan tour
The gala opens with a Moomin ballet lasting under an hour, Moomin and the Magician’s Hat, specifically designed for the Japan tour, based on Tove Jansson’s book Trollkarlens hatt (Finn Family Moomintroll). This new work will be choreographed by the Artistic Director of the National Ballet, Kenneth Greve, to music by Tuomas Kantelinen. The production has costumes by Erika Turunen and sets by Anna Kontek.
“We wish to show Japanese audiences what a wide range of competence the FNB has, and the gala programme contains both contemporary dance and classical ballet, not forgetting Finnish themes. The Moomin characters are an essential part of Finland’s image abroad, which is why we are including an entire Moomin ballet customised for Japanese audiences,” says Greve about the programming.
The programme will also include performances from the FNB’s productions, such as Swan of Tuonela by Imre Eck to music by Sibelius and scenes from Swan Lake, Don Quixote and Ballet Pathétique by Jorma Uotinen.
“We are proud to have been invited, as this is the FNOB’s first-ever visit to Japan. Only the best-performing ensembles in the world are invited to Japan, and audiences there are ballet connoisseurs, so we are extremely honoured,” Kenneth Greve continues.
Finnair, a leading Nordic airline and a Moomin licensee, is the Finnish National Ballet’s partner for the Japan tour. The tour forms part of the official celebrations for the centenary of Finland’s independence.
Ballet ´Moomin and the Comet´ returns to the Finnish National Opera in 2017
In spring 2015, the ballet Moomin and the Comet premiered at the Finnish National Opera. Moomin and the Comet was a huge success in its first season, and its additional performances were also sold out. The ballet is back again next spring when it is part of the Finnish National Opera’s programme for the centenary of Finland’s independence.
Photo: Saara Salmi
Moomins: © Moomin Characters ™