Composer VELJO TORMIS
Music Director TÕNU KALJUSTE
Director PEETER JALAKAS
Costume Designer REET AUS
Technical director ENAR TARMO
Performers CELIA ROOSE, TÕNU AAV, MATI TURI, RAINER VILU, VAHUR SOONBERG, RIINA MAIDRE, ARNO TAMM, ERKI LAUR, TAAVI EELMAA, JUHAN ULFSAK, MART KOLDITS, NARGEN OPERA CHOIR, BLAST WAVE
The foundation of Estonian musical tradition lies indisputably in our thousand-year-old runo song. According to Veljo Tormis runo song is the most outstanding phenomenon of Estonian culture.
The collaboration of Theatre Von Krahl and Nargen Opera brings to stage Songs of Estonian Men. This is the third part of folk song trilogy by Veljo Tormis.
If previous stories (Estonian Ballads and Songs of Estonian Women) were commended and performed by rather conservative and settled women, men will provide spectacle and show. Since they have been the ones to travel, to gather experience as sailors and warriors from the darkest and lightest places in the world, men have brought back stories from shores afar and speak of matters entirely new in completely different ways. Men's songs are humorous, mocking, and even obscene at times. The production intensifies the words, showing us things that men encounter on their way to propose to a woman, sailing on the sea or drinking in a tavern - highs and depths, oil and water, force and might.
As older runo songs are lyrical and more feminine, the newer layer of folk songs brought about epic stories of man's world. The significance of men both as creators and performers of folk music grows gradually from then on. These songs tell tales about everyday problems, such as people's fight against clergymen and estate owners, at the same time women's topics become even more sentimental and romantic.
All 10 songs from the choral cycle Men's Songs are performed. Every song is performed by different soloist, supported by choir of 20 men. In addition, choral scene "Curse upon Iron" by Veljo Tormis and two runo songs are performed.
7.-20. June 2008 at 19.00 performed in Kultuurikatel, Põhja pst 20a, Tallinn.
Tickets from www.piletilevi.ee and Von Krahl Theatre