Third Practice

“I am interested in the way that, right now, we are having to recalibrate our existence and to rethink our humanity: our relationship to the world, to its changes and its history. At turning points there is always a chance of finding but sadly also of forgetting something. What inspires and touches me is the character of Monteverdi’s music, which was revolutionary in its time and which demands skill, while also being free-flowing and intimate. Amid the tumult of the world the Renaissance values that resonate in the Madrigals seem to be perpetually relevant as a way of anchoring ourselves. On the other hand, just as the composer once did with his newly created Seconda prattica, I too seek a new kind of expression – a third practice – in my choreography.”

– Tero Saarinen

“Although the music in the work is characteristic of a certain epoch, the world that opens out on the stage is totally abstract. From Helsinki Baroque Orchestra’s perspective what particularly expanded our horizon is the combination of sound amplification, virtual soloist and movement with the work of live musicians. Relating the partly improvisatory character of the madrigals to the stage arrangements and to the collaboration between the dancers is also an interesting challenge.”

– Aapo Häkkinen

Choreography & Concept Tero Saarinen
Music Claudio Monteverdi
Music direction Aapo Häkkinen
Lighting design Eero Auvinen (TTT-Theatre)
Costume design Erika Turunen
Projection design Thomas Freundlich
Sound design Marco Melchior
Choreographer’s Assistants Henrikki Heikkilä, Satu Halttunen

Tenor Topi Lehtipuu
Virtual soprano Núria Rial

Dancers | Tero Saarinen Company Jenna Broas / Elina Häyrynen, Annika Hyvärinen, David Scarantino, Mikko Lampinen / Pekka Louhio, Natasha Lommi, Oskari Kymäläinen / Eero Vesterinen. Understudy: Emmi Pennanen

Tirsi e Clori recording Núria Rial, soprano, Tuuli Lindeberg, soprano, Teppo Lampela, countertenor, Topi Lehtipuu, tenor, Jussi Lehtipuu, bass

Streaming production | Tero Saarinen Company in collaboration with Thomas Freundlich (Lumikinos Production, 2021)

With thanks to
Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation
Ministry of Education and Culture
Anonymous donor