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This year’s festival offers up some particularly exciting examples of transatlantic cross-fertilization: local artist Ruth MacKenzie will launch the festival with a special one-off 10th anniversary concert reprise of her remarkable Kalevala: Dream of the Salmon Maiden project, featuring many of the musical performers from the original theatrical productions. SORRY, ALL TICKETS HAVE SOLD OUT. THERE MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE NORDIC ROOTS FESTIVAL PASSES FOR $99, GIVING YOU ENTRANCE AND PREFERRED SEATING TO ALL FIVE NORDIC ROOTS SHOWS--CALL THE CEDAR FOR MORE INFORMATION (612-338-2674 EXT 0). We encourage you to explore other Festival offerings!
"The tale of the Kalevala, the myth of a maiden who assumes the form of
a salmon as resistance against marriage to a great magician, is one
that has not only had its roots in Scandinavia, but also in Eskimo and
some Native American cultures. Ruth MacKenzie and a large group of
excellent performers bring the tale to life on record, adapting the
story along with various pieces of traditional Finnish music, mixing
this with original music and lyrics. MacKenzie has a soaring, distinct
voice that suits this kind of rough-edged music very well, and has the
ability to bring both that rawness and an operatic quality to her
performance -- uncannily, though she is singing in English, it is
possible to end up convinced that she is actually singing in Finnish.
Musically, while the production utilizes traditional instruments and
melodies, the performances and arrangements are very much contemporary
folk-rock-style, with bass and drums front and center in support.
Overall excellent, engaging, and challenging work." (Steven McDonald, All Music Guide) |
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