Tero Saarinen’s Third Practice explores radical shifts in values and perspectives. Claudio Monteverdi’s beautiful and revolutionary madrigals are incarnated by twelve dancers and musicians, tenor Topi Lehtipuu and virtual soprano Núria Rial. TSC and Helsinki Baroque Orchestra join forces to create a memorable fusion of contemporary dance, live music and opera.
“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
“Sophisticated – – baroque transposed to the contemporary”
- LA PROVINCIA DI CREMONA (Italy)
“An extraordinary work – – Once again Tero Saarinen and his dancers and associates have given me an experience like no other. I love dance that expands the boundaries of my thinking. Third Practice does that and more.“
- MICHELLEPOTTER.ORG (Australia)
”An ambitious union of dance and music – – Unforgettable moments”
- HELSINGIN SANOMAT
”A true total artwork – – Magic”
- HUFVUDSTADSBLADET
”Simultaneously in the 17th century, the present and the future – – tenor Topi Lehtipuu’s multifaceted expression was gripping”
- RONDO
“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
The digital evening programme of Third Practice includes footage that takes you on a tour behind the scenes! Get to know Claudio Monteverdi, the “master of Madrigals” and read Saarinen‘s thoughts on the creation process of Third Practice. You can easily access the content, designed especially for mobile devices and tablets, from the link below.
Open the evening programmeChoreography & 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
Musicians | Helsinki Baroque Orchestra: Hanna Haapamäki (recorder), Tuomo Suni (violin), Aira Maria Lehtipuu (violin), Heidi Peltoniemi (viola da gamba), Eero Palviainen (theorbo),Aapo Häkkinen (harpsichord)
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
Cable Factory
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Postal address: Tallberginkatu 1 / 74
FIN-00180 Helsinki Finland
Tel: +358(0)9 681 31 881
Email: info(at)terosaarinen.com