MEDIATHEK

Awakening - the story of getting tired of being strong (stairway to heaven)
 
 Awakening (Finnish: Herääminen) is a choir-opera in one act by Maija Ruuskanen to a libretto by Jaakko Heinimäki. It’s devided in 8 scenes and is written for a baritone, choir, saxophone quartet and a percussionist. It was premiered 30.3.2017 in Helsinki by the Music Theatre Kapsäkki.
 
 Story is about a Finnish charismatic preacher Paavo Ruotsalainen, mercy and forgiving. It is about a man who got totally tired of always trying harder, about his breakdown and the thoughts how he found mercy. Paavo Ruotsalainen was born 1777 in eastern Finland.
 
 Opera is devided in three bigger parts. Part I (scenes 1-3) is mostly about being strong and trying always harder and harder. Paavo Ruotsalainen as a historical character is in focus.