BILEPASSIO – Friday Passion (World Premiere!) (Music: Tarmo Anttila | Libretto: Antti J. Saari) World Premiere 28 August 2026, 19:00 Kallio Church Helsinki Opera Summer Featuring: Waltteri Torikka (baritone) and Reetta Ristimäki (soprano) Orchestra: Lohja City Orchestra Choir: Grex Musicus Conductor: Markus Luomala Description Bilepassio – Praise of Friday is the world's first bilepassio: a roughly 70-minute work in which the passion — one of Western music's great forms — meets the Finnish Friday evening. The passion is at its core a drama of suffering: a large-scale form in which soloists, choir, and orchestra narrate a protagonist's ordeal, death, and redemption. In Bilepassio, the protagonist Markku, 42, does not suffer on Golgotha but after work: he opens a long drink, calls his friends over, and the passion form begins to tell this very familiar story with the same gravity and dignity it has always brought to the deepest needs of human life. The artistic tension of the work arises from the collision of form and content: when a sacred large-scale form is applied with full seriousness to an everyday subject, something both funny and genuinely moving emerges. The music weaves together Baroque counterpoint, jazz harmonies, and minimalist structures. No compromises are made — only the highest quality makes the concept work.

Sun 17 May at 6 PM Paavalinkirkko, Helsinki Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat Conducted by Markus Luomala Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat resonates on the same wavelength with Italian madrigals, medieval French melodies, and Nordic songs of love.

Josef Rheinberger: Missa Sincere in memoriam Leevi Madetoja: Marian murhe (Stabat Mater), among others Kaari Ensemble Jari Koivistoinen, organ Markus Luomala, conductor Josef Gabriel Rheinberger’s Missa Sincere in memoriam, Op. 187, composed in memory, is a luminous and deeply expressive Mass for women’s choir and organ. In this concert, the work is brought to life by the Kaari Ensemble and organist Jari Koivistoinen under the direction of Markus Luomala, offering a reflective and richly coloured musical experience. Wednesday, 1 April at 7:00–8:00 PM St. Lawrence Church, Vantaa Kirkkotie 45, 01510 Vantaa

The Kaari Ensemble’s a cappella concert “Peace I Leave with You” explores suffering, the search for consolation, and the longing for inner peace from multiple perspectives. The program brings together works spanning centuries, where early sacred music enters into a natural dialogue with Finnish choral repertoire. Featured composers include Johannes Brahms, Mikko Sidoroff, and Francis Poulenc, among others. Conducted by Markus Luomala

The Kaari Ensemble's Christmas concert is a journey through the centuries, carried by the timeless message of Christmas. Some of the works will be heard for the first time in Finland, while beloved classics also have their place in the program. Conducted by Markus Luomala. The concert will take place at Hakasalmi Villa, part of the Helsinki City Museum, on Sunday, 14 December at 2 PM.

A joint concert of three choirs will gently wrap you in song on an autumn evening. Come and enjoy a diverse program performed by three different treble choirs. Kaari Ensemble, conducted by Markus Luomala Discantus, conducted by Laura Linkola Evivakören, conducted by Kirsi Tunkkari At Vuosaari Church, 28 October at 7:00 PM

Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat (conductor Markus Luomala) - Hietsun Paviljonki, Helsinki 18/12/2025 at 7pm

“I am very much looking forward to the upcoming collaboration with the Kaari Ensemble! My previous experience in choral work has focused especially on mixed choirs, while also including men’s and youth choir activities. It is an exciting challenge to now delve more deeply into the expressive possibilities and repertoire of a treble choir.” More information: https://kaari-ensemble.fi/taiteelliseksi-johtajaksi-valittu-markus-luomala/

”Laulun lainehilla” Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat cond. Markus Luomala

Tampere Cappella Vocal Ensemble & Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir, conductor Markus Luomala 3.5.2025 klo 16, Lauttasaaren kirkko, Helsinki The concert journeys across land, sea, and air—even into cyberspace. In this world and the next. In the past, as well as here and now. The concert’s title work, Die erste Elegie by Einojuhani Rautavaara, is perhaps not only one of Rautavaara’s most powerful choral compositions, but even one of the most striking single works in the entire Finnish choral repertoire. Alongside this profound piece, the program features Magnificat by Arvo Pärt, Three Sacred Songs by Alfred Schnittke, and, as a more recent work, And the Swallow by Caroline Shaw. The more secular side of the program is represented by composers such as Selim Palmgren, Helvi Leiviskä, Veljo Tormis, Sir Michael Tippett, Lotta Wennäkoski, Perttu Haapanen, and Erkki Nurminen. Tampere Cappella Vocal Ensemble & Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conductor: Markus Luomala 3 May 2025 at 4 PM Lauttasaari Church, Helsinki

Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir, conducted by Markus Luomala, has been invited to the final of the Nordic choir competition Erik Fordell Grand Prix 2025 in Kokkola, Finland, on 15/3/2025.

Taike´'s (Arts Promotion Centre Finland) regional arts councils make decisions regarding the awarding grants and awards for artists, artist groups and organisations within their own area of responsibility. The Central Arts Council appoints the members of the regional arts councils for two-year terms based on the recommendations of regional experts in the fields of the arts and culture.

Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conductor Markus Luomala Fri 15 November at 7 PM Art House Turku Nunnankatu 4, 2nd floor, Main Hall The Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir unleashes the forces of nature and the waves of the sea under the direction of Markus Luomala. This strikingly dramatic autumn concert also marks the choir’s debut performance at the Art House Turku. Depicting the motion of the sea and stormy weather are works by composers Britten, Fordell, Jēkabsone, Nurminen, Tormis, Vaughan Williams, Zakaras, and Bo Hansson. Hansson’s Vi är hav, set to a timely text by Lars Forssell, will now be heard for the first time in Finland. Premiered globally last year, the piece evokes the movement of the sea through its musical language and invites reflection on our relationship with the sea and its protection. Welcome to be embraced by waves of sound! LEGENDS OF THE SEA Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conductor: Markus Luomala Art House Turku, 2nd floor, Main Hall Nunnankatu 4, Turku More information: kamarikuoro@gmail.com turunkonservatorio.fi/kamarikuoro facebook.fi/kamarikuoro

Kolme kuoroa, Savolaisen Osakunnan Laulajat (SOL), Wiipurilaisen Osakunnan Laulajat (WiOL), Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat (POL) sekä Akateeminen puhallinorkesteri esittävät Mozartin Requiemin. ESITYSAJAT La 26.10.2024 klo 19, Temppeliaukion kirkko (Lutherinkatu 3) Pe 8.11.2024 klo 19, Paavalinkirkko (Sammatintie 5) Solisteina: sopraano Sanna Korpi mezzospraano Essi Lind Vallinoja tenori Niilo Erkkilä basso Veikko Vallinoja. Johtaa Markus Luomala.Three choirs Savolaisen Osakunnan Laulajat (SOL), Wiipurilaisen Osakunnan Laulajat (WiOL), Pohjalaisten Osakuntien Laulajat (POL) and Akateeminen puhallinorkesteri will perform Mozart's Requiem. Concert dates: Saturday 26.10.2024 at 19:00, Temppeliaukio Church (Lutherinkatu 3) Friday 8.11.2024 at 19:00, Paavalinkirkko (Sammatintie 5) Soloists: soprano Sanna Korpi mezzo-soprano Essi Lind Vallinoja tenor Niilo Erkkilä bass Veikko Vallinoja Conducted by Markus Luomala.

Markus Luomala is one of the Semifinalists in International Conducting Competition in Bucharest 2024!

The central character of Land of Happiness is Tenho Heikkilä, who returns to his home village after squandering his money on the pleasures of city life. His older brother Aarne, the future master of the family farm, urges him to take part in farm work, but Tenho—being a man of tango at heart—longs for summer dance pavilions and twirling village girls. As the summer unfolds, events gather momentum while the old master of the house approaches the end of his life. This comedy explores the transformation of rural life with humor and from the perspective of an ordinary person. Markku Pölönen’s film Land of Happiness was released in 1993 and won, among other awards, the Jussi Award for Best Film. Soon, this vivid tale of a prodigal son was adapted into a popular stage production, performed both in professional theatres and on summer theatre stages. Land of Happiness will be performed at the Järvenpää Summer Theatre starting from June 5. The rhythm is set by the Dance Orchestra Pohjola! Production team: Script: Markku Pölönen Adaptation and direction: Reetta Ristimäki Musical direction and arrangements: Jussi Hongisto Choreography: Virpi Maisala Dance Orchestra Pohjola: Petri Rahikkala (piano) Jussi Hongisto / Altti Uhlenius (double bass) Markus Luomala / Mikko Helenius (accordion) Costume design: Sinikka Zannoni Assistant costume designer: Päivi Ojakangas Set construction: Eero Ekman, Pasi Jumppanen, Juha Kalliolahti, Sami Karppanen, Eero Salminen, Vesa Saralehto, Heikki Simolin and Antti Weckroth Graphic design: Pia Kauppinen Photography: Tarinastudio Ky / Satu Hart Production assistants and coordinators: Auli Aarniokoski, Marjo Hellberg and Auli Suojanen Production: Tuija Kosonen / Järvenpää Theatre – Järvenpää Summer Theatre Association

“HAPPINESS” Spring Concert of the Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conductor: Markus Luomala Ešenvalds, Freeman, Kreek, Leiviskä, Madetoja, Mägi, Rautavaara, Ruutu, Tormis, Uusberg, Wennäkoski “Ei või õnneta elada” (“One cannot live without happiness”) is sung in a work by Veljo Tormis. Without happiness, life is not possible, and therefore the Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir wishes to offer its audience a joy-filled experience in its spring concerts in Salo (11 May) and Turku (15 May). Where have composers and poets found sources and keys to happiness? In friendship, nature, silence, love, spirituality, rest, dance, even a delightful Saturday sauna—bliss and the gentle glow of happiness. Sat 11 May at 6:00 PM, Salo VPK Hall, Asemakatu 3, Salo Wed 15 May at 6:00 PM, Sigyn Hall, Linnankatu 60, Turku

AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW – VID REGNBÅGENS ÄNDE Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir, conducted by Markus Luomala Spira Ensemble, conducted by Esko Kallio Jaani Helander, cello Kõrvits, Morlock, Whittall, Mägi, Freeman, Rautavaara, Madetoja, Lidholm, etc. After several years’ break, Spira Ensemble returns to Turku, this time to give a joint concert together with the ambitious and sonorous Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir. The concert At the End of the Rainbow – Vid regnbågens ände presents the spring programmes of two outstanding choirs. The central theme of the Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir is bliss and happiness, while Spira Ensemble explores themes of solitude, the sea, the cycle of the seasons, and the longing for light. A fresh and truly unique musical experience is guaranteed. Sibelius Museum, Piispankatu 17, 20500 Turku

It was a priviledge to get to invited and to work with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra (LVSO) and with such a great repertoire like Wagner: Tristan und Isolde, Verdi: La Forza del Destino and Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra under the guidance of Sebastian Lang-Lessing (Music Director / Korea National Opera, Music Director Emeritus / San Antonio Symphony) (The concert 14/02/2024 was live streamed and still available, please free to watch and listen)

STORIES OF EVENING AND NIGHT Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conducted by Markus Luomala The Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir presents stories of evening and night in the context of Markus Luomala’s choral conducting degree concert. Come and experience Palmgren’s “weeping of the evening,” Vaughan Williams’s serenity, Poulenc’s nocturnal struggles, Britten’s radiant evening primrose, Uusberg’s tranquil dusk, Leiviskä’s glowing moon, and much more. Our small concert offers a gentle moment of calm at the end of the work week in the atmospheric Art Chapel. Welcome! Friday 16 February at 6:30 PM Hirvensalo Art Chapel (Seiskarinkatu 35, Turku) More information and ticket reservations: kamarikuoro@gmail.com / +358 40 5797 647 turunkonservatorio.fi/kamarikuoro (Image of evening primrose: James Jeon / Unsplash)

KAAMOS HEHKUU - THE DARKNESS GLOWS Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir Conducted by Markus Luomala Fri 17 November 2023 at 7:00 PM Martin Church, Turku Huovinkatu 1 The Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir brings light into the darkness of the polar night in the debut concert of its new conductor, Markus Luomala, at Martin Church in Turku on Friday, 17 November at 7:00 PM. Having taken up the leadership of the choir in August, Luomala describes the event as follows: “In the darkness of our times, the prevailing theme of our concert repertoire reflects the season of darkness. Whether sorrow or hardship is personal or shared, one may find light in the night’s darkness—a star, or even the blaze of the northern lights—hope—and realize that the sun will rise again tomorrow. The darkness glows.” Shadows and light in the concert are illustrated by, among others, two works depicting experiences from the time of the Second World War: Francis Poulenc’s cycle Un soir de neige (“A Snowy Evening”) and Sarah McDowall’s Brightest Star. The program also features Lili Boulanger’s sublime hymn to love, Hymne à l’amour, accompanied by pianist Sallamari Keinänen. In addition, we will encounter aurora-inspired soundscapes by Ēriks Ešenvalds and Ola Gjeilo, as well as meditative winter atmospheres by Karin Rehnqvist, Juhani Komulainen, and Nils-Eric Fougstedt.

Kaustisen Hääkuoro 60th Anniversary Christmas Concert Conducted by Markus Luomala Kaustinen Church, Sunday 17 December 2023 at 7:00 PM Evijärvi Church, Monday 18 December 2023 at 7:00 PM

Tampere Cappella Chamber Choir "Da Pacem" Tampereen Tuomiokirkko 10/12/2023 at 6 p.m. Programme: Arvo Pärt: Da Pacem Domine Arvo Pärt: Ja ma kuulsin hääle Herbert Howells: Requiem Ton de Leeuw: Elegie IV Orlando di Lasso: Primus Psalmus Poenitentialis Glad to be performing as a singer with wonderful professional chamber choir "Tampere Cappella" (cond. by Lodewijk van der Ree) in Tampere, Finland

”Kaustisen Hääkuoro” The 60th anniversary concert at Kaustinen Folk Music Festival on 11th July 2023 at 18:30 (Kansantaiteenkeskus, Kaustinen-sali) Conducted by Markus Luomala Read more (in Finnish): ”Sukupolvet vaihtuvat, mutta laulu kantaa vuodesta toiseen”

POL - 60th Anniversary Concert conducted by Markus Luomala (18/11/2023 at 14:00, Ostrobotnia House, Helsinki, Finland)

”Concluding the programme, Veljo Tormis's riveting Raua needmine (Curse upon Iron, 1972) was heard in powerhouse outing under Markus Luomala, joined by Kaljuste on shaman drum. A timeless tableau, musing upon the inherent tendency of all human invention to boil down to tools and weapons, the music is rooted in anchient chants and magic charms, reinvented in twentieth-century choral context. Genuinely dramatic and profoundly ritualistic, the score is a feast of nuanced texture and harmonic color, calling forth relentless commitment and full-scale vocal agility. A befitting finale for a marvelous evening of choral masterstrokes, Raua needmine brought the house down.” (Jari Kallio 16/06/2023)

Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir is a Finnish mixed choir, a combination of skilled, ambitious and experienced choir singers conducted by Markus Luomala (beginning in August 2023). The choir seeks opportunities to cooperate also internationally.

Taike´'s (Arts Promotion Centre Finland) regional arts councils make decisions regarding the awarding grants and awards for artists, artist groups and organisations within their own area of responsibility. The Central Arts Council appoints the members of the regional arts councils for two-year terms based on the recommendations of regional experts in the fields of the arts and culture.

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Käläviän Kapelli Conducted by Markus Luomala Programme: J. S. Bach: Concerto for Violin and Oboe, 1st movement W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414, 1st movement Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Horns, 2nd movement A. Vivaldi: Concerto for String Orchestra in D major (RV 121) and hymns with orchestral accompaniment

Iloa ja Surua - Joy and Sorrow Kaustisen Hääkuoro & Fiinin musiikin orkesteri Conducted by Markus Luomala Programme: Bach, Corelli, Telemann, Boccherini, Sonninen, Niittykoski, Jylhä, Kentala, Piae Cantiones…

Morsiustaivas opera (comp. Aaro Kentala) conducted by Markus Luomala The premiere will take place in Kaustinen on May 28, 2022 at 7 p.m. Welcome! More performances at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival on 14/7/2022 and 15/7/2022! Lue Anni Saaren juttu oopperasta täältä (only in Finnish)

Jorma Panula’s compositions and arrangements inspired by Finnish folkmusic! We just played an entertaining concert in Kauhajoki on 19/6/2022. You can hear more this music played by these wonderful musicians and yours truly at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival on 16/7/2022!

Maanantai/Monday 11.7. 17:30 Avajaisjuhla, mm. Hääkuoro, Festivaaliareena Tiistai/Tuesday 12.7. klo 18:15-19:15, T for Three, Maunon makasiini Torstai/Thursday 14.7. klo 17:30 UNESCO-konsertti, mm. Hääkuoro, Festivaaliareena Torstai/Thursday14.7. klo 19:00-20:30 Morsiustaivas-ooppera, 3. näytös, Kaustinen-sali, Kansantaiteenkeskus Perjantai/Friday 15.7. klo 15:00-16:30 Morsiustaivas-ooppera, 4. näytös, Kaustinen-sali, Kansantaiteenkeskus Perjantai/Friday 15.7. klo 18:00-19:30 Morsiustaivas-ooppera, 5. näytös, Kaustinen-sali, Kansantaiteenkeskus Lauantai/Saturday 16.7. klo 12:30-13:30 Jorma Panulan juhlakonsertti, Maunon makasiini Lauantai/Saturday 16.7. klo 15:30-16:45 Kaustisen järvet ja lammet soi - Timo Valon sävellyksiä, Kaustinen-sali, Kansantaiteenkeskus Lauantai/Saturday 16.7. klo 18:30 Aapintuvan pelimannit & Hääkuoro, Mondo Lauantai/Saturday 16.7. klo 20:30-21:15 T for Three, Kestikievari

The choral rehearsals for the opera “Morsiustaivas” have begun. The planned premiere of the opera is in May 2022 in Kaustinen. Read more in the Perhonjokilaakso newspaper.

Markus is one of the 20 selected candidates for the international Jorma Panula conducting competition which will take place on November 16-19/2021 in Vaasa, Finland. There were total of 154 conductors who applied to this competition.