Join Us on Eurovision: Finland: Exclusive! Interview with Ooppera Skaala "Our song 'Heart of Light' and all what is seen on stage is a unique combination of different styles, eras, epoques and connotations"

Ooppera Skaala (© Sakari Röyskö)

Ooppera Skaala are one of the finalists of 'UMK 2015' in Finland on 28th of February 2015 with the song called 'Heart Of Light'.

We had the chance to talk to Essi Luttinen from Ooppera Skaala yesterday about her participation in the Finnish competition. Read our interview with her below to find out what she had to say...

Visa Oscar (Composer), Essi & Janne Mertanen (Lyricist)

Hello Essi, first of all gratulations that you are one of the qualified participants for the National Final of ‘UMK 2015’ on 28th of February 2015 with Ooppera Skaala and the song ‘Heart of Light’.

How does it feel to be one of the winners from ‘UMK 2015’ Semi-Final 1with your song ‘Heart of Light’?

Essi: I am of course very excited about this! This second Semi-Final round was very high-level and there were many good artists and bands competing, so I’m feeling very honored and thankful for the Finnish audience for their votes.

If people never heared something about you before, what should they know about you? Could you introduce yourself a bit?

Essi: Opera Skaala is an independent company for contemporary opera, based in Helsinki. Founded in 1996, Skaala has mounted 20 world or Finnish premieres of new operatic works. Skaala’s guiding principle is the search for new forms of operatic expression and perspectives for the making of art. The company reinterprets the conventions of opera in many ways, including venues, performance technology and musical styles. The company reinterprets the conventions of opera in many ways, including venues, performance technology and musical styles. Skaala also works regularly at the borderline between new opera and contemporary dance, seeking to find new connections between these art forms. In spring 2014 the soloist of our competeing song, ’Heart of Light’, mezzo soprano Essi Luttinen was named for the artistic director of Opera Skaala.

Who decided ‘Heart of Light’ for ‘UMK 2015’?

Essi: We all in Opera Skaala work as a tight team. The original idea of taking part in UMK 2015 came after our last premiere, ‘La Furia delle Costellazioni’, in which we experimented this musical idea of combining baroque arias with EDM in the first place. After the performances we started to compose completely new song since the interest of the audience was remarkably high on this new genre and we thought that much wider audience should learn about this.

Can you tell us something about the story behind ‘Heart of Light’?

Essi: In the previous answer I told how the song was born. The composer-producer Visa Oscar worked very strongly on the musical and other artistic solutions, but also I myself and the lyricist Janne Lehmusvuo were strongly participating the composing process. The song itself tells about the frustration of the opera as an art form not willing to change and be renewed. In the end opera will gain its place back to the spotlight and to people’s heart where it deserves to be.

How would you describe the style of your ‘UMK’ entry?

Essi: Our style and genre is anyway very different from any other performer’s or group’s style. Our song and all what is seen on stage is a unique combination of different styles, eras, epoques and connotations. It’s very artistic but in the end also entertaining and catchy. It’s made for big stages and is full of strong expression.

Can you tell us something about the beginning of your career?

Essi: I have studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki as well as at the Royal College of Music in London for classical singing and opera. I graduated 2005 and since that I’ve worked as a freelancer on various opera and concert productions and stages both in Finland and abroad.

What are you expecting in the national final of ‘UMK 2015’ in Finland, are you excited?

Essi: In many ways we have already won what we’ve put as our goal in advance. Now it seems that we also might have very good chances to compete for the place in ESC for real. But I’m not going to put any extra pressure on me to win the whole competition. I only wish I could once again give all I’ve got on stage both vocally and what it comes to the performance and dancing. I take it very professionally. I think we singers are entertainers and our duty is to make audience feel entertained.

Are you a Eurovision fan?

Esi: Not a huge fan, but I’ve always been interested in the phenomenon. It’s an important tradition which unifies fragmented Europe with its richness of various different cultures. I’ve always appreciated ESC.

Which are your favorite Eurovision songs and what is your favorite song in Moldovan ESC history?

Essi: One of my favorite to name is Loreen’s 'Euphoria'. I also liked very much her performance.

What is your first Eurovision memory?

Essi: It must be from my early childhood as I remember watching ESC with my mum and not ever being able to stay awake till the very end of the show.

Which kind of music do you hear in private?

Essi: All kinds of… A lot of classical vocal music of course but also lighter music, pop music and jazz. The style is not important but how it’s composed, produced, performed and sung. Good music is always good not depending of the genre,

Can you tell us something about who is Oopera Skaala as private person?

Essi: First of all, my name is Essi Luttinen, I’m a Finnish professional opera singer who lives in Helsinki.

What makes you happy?

Esi: Beauty and art, good discussions, good food and drink, jokes

What makes a day for you perfect?

Essi: Beautiful weather, the presence of my dear ones, being together with my family members, not hurrying

What are your plans for 2015 beside ‘UMK 2015’?

Essi: Opera Skaala is having its next premiere ‘Transit’ which is an ambient inspired opera combining ambient music, modern opera vocals, and modern dance expression. The premiere will be his May in Helsinki. Till the end of this year we are planning to put an advanced version of ‘La Furia delle Costellazioni’ back on stage, preferably on some untypical venue like a stylish night club with a cooperation of a DJ and solid dance group.

What was the most excited moment in your life?

Essi: I have already won one singing competition in Finland in classical field and qualified for second prize in another. Those experiences have been really exciting professionally.

What are your wishes for the future?

Essi: My wishes are to stay healthy and being able to earn my living by singing one way or another. I was born to be on stage and that is what I yearn in my life.

Why should the audience from Finland vote for your song to represent Finland at Eurovision 2015?

Essi: Because this is something completely different what Finland has ever had in ESC before, it would stand out so clearly of any other performances of any other country this year. That would be a definite ace in ESC for Finland as I don’t think we should send anything too generic there. And also because we are iron strong professionals and because the performance is simply so multi-level and doesn’t leave anybody cold.

Do you have a message for ‘Join Us on Eurovision’ readers and your fans?

Essi: I wanna thank your readers for interest and support. Please click on our videos in YouTube and like us on Facebook. Stay tuned on our artistic agenda in the future and let Heart of Light melt your heart too! Oh and see, I recorded a video message for you in front of the Sibelius Monument :-)