In to the spot light

FOR TENOR PETRI BÄCKSTRÖM, OPERA IS THE THREAD CONNECTING HIS LIFE

As I write this column, a new, historically important centre for craftsmanship has just opened in Helsinki, which as a seat of learning and performance venue will showcase amazing projects in the right light. For the many thousands of craftsmen in Finland, this is a dream come true and something that will allow us to demonstrate the high quality of craftsmanship to all our visitors. The Helsinki Music Centre is finally open – the musicians that make up its fabric can now step inside.

Opera has traditionally been a celebration of craftsmanship at its best and most impressive. The joy of playing and singing is complemented by fantastic details of the lights, sets and costumes. Since the profession of an opera singer represents craftsmanship at its best, it is no surprise that singers happily spend their free time doing some other handiwork. This is the case for the tenor Petri Bäckström, a gifted stage performer whose travel accessories always includes knitting needles and thread. His beautiful jumpers warm him up when her arrives in sometimes cold rehearsal rooms and keep the singer’s instrument, his body, warm.

For Petri Bäckström, opera is his connecting thread. His wife and relatives work in the field of opera, but he is also artistic director of the celebrated Helsinki Skaala Opera, where everything is done from the beginning by hand and by the company itself. Another piece of thread led Petri to Turku, where a few years ago he found a home needing renovation. This year, there will be impressive celebrations in Turku as Finland’s Capital of Culture. One of the climaxes to the event will be the performance of Mikko Heiniö's new opera, Eerik XIV, in which Bäckström sings the role of Hercules. These are the strands of thread that have brought colour into his life, and these threads he intends to keep hold of.

* Petri Bäckström will be performing at the Women’s Skills event at the Turku Fair and Congress Centre from 14–16 October 2011 at the Novita stand.

*The opera Eerik XIV, produced by Turku Music Festival and composed by Mikko Heiniö, will receive its world premiere on 22 November 2011. The opera will be directed by Erik Söderblom and conducted by Leif Segerstam. Other roles will be performed by artists such as Helena Juntunen and Charlotte Hellekant.

Photos: Tenor Petri Bäckstöm in one of his creations knitted with Novita yarn.