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Here is link to broadcast of the opera at YLE 1 (Finnish Radio) on Saturday 4.3.2017 at 19:03

http://areena.yle.fi/1-3921601

Librettist is Friedrich Wilhelm Otto Spengler (1841-1915). A poet from Hamburg, if I remember correctly.

I'm one of the editors who did new performance material for this production. Old scores are full of errors and text is very difficult to read, and there weren't orchestral parts for whole opera. New scores will be available for free later through Finnish Music Heritage Project. But, if anyone is interested, PM me, I can email scores for study.

Performance of opera "Die Kalewainen in Pochjola" by Karl Müller-Berghaus will be broadcast on 4.3.2017 in Finnish Radio (YLE Radio 1), starting at 19.03 local time.

World premiere of this opera is on 28th February (on Kalevala Day) in Turku.

Louhi - Johanna Rusanen-Kartano
Ahti Lemminkäinen - Christian Juslin
Ilmarinen - Tommi Hakala
Ismo - Kaisa Ranta
Väinämöinen - Petri Lindroos
Luonnotar - Anna Danik

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Leif Segerstam
Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis

This opera was written 127 years ago, but only 2nd act was performed in 1890.

You can hear short excerpt from rehearsals on yesterday in this news program:

http://areena.yle.fi/1-4001194

Two days ago I was in Heinävesi (Finland) to listen thrilling performance of Melartin's 4th Symphony "Summer Symphony". It was premiere of new performance edition. This was first time I had chance to hear the symphony live, and without any cuts! In the first movement they played also recapitulation section which is not in the Grin's recording of the symphony. Also they did Rondo-Finale complete and with short repeat near the beginning of the movement (Grin recording has some cuts in this movement too). We definitely need a new recording of this work!

Also, now it seems that new Ondine recording should be available. There has been couple reviews in the Finnish media.

Here is review in English about this new recording http://www.fmq.fi/2016/06/the-multiple-aesthetic-aspects-of-melartin/

And here is an article relating the new Ondine recording http://www.fmq.fi/2016/06/erkki-melartin-rediscovering-a-remarkable-finnish-composer/

I think they will broadcast it in internet worldwide. I hope the performance will later appear on dvd or cd.

In May Ondine will release recording of three works by Erkki Melartin (1875-1937). These are symphonic poem Traumgesicht op 70, Marjatta op 79 for soprano and orchestra, and 8 movements from late ballet The Blue Pearl op 160. Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Hannu Lintu and in Marjatta soprano solo is sung by Soile Isokoski. All works are premiere recordings, done in summer 2015.

Those who are interested to see scores of these works, please go to http://www2.siba.fi/melartinseura/?page=dokumentit The Blue Pearl will be added later there.

The opera is called Die Kalewainen in Pochjola. It is in four acts. Karl Müller Berghaus (1829-1907) finished this opera probably in late 1890 in Turku, where he was conductor of musical society (now Turku Philharmonic orchestra) 1886-1895). This opera is not only opera he wrote, he also wrote at least other two: Der Inka-Schatz and Sacharina.  Both of these are known to survive only in part. His papers are in Stuttgart (Handschriftenabteilung der Württenbergischen Landesbibliothek). There are orchestral compositions too, like Finnish rhapsody.

What is known about Die Kalewainen in Pochjola, only second act was performed in Turku in 1890, before whole opera was finished. So 2017 performance is indeed a world premiere. What is interesting, is that both orchestral score and vocal score were published in Germany by Zumsteeg in 1892.

The four acts of the opera are 1) Die Brautwerbung, 2) Sampo, 3) Achtis Wiederbelebung, 4) Der kampf um's Glück.

On wednesday 28th October 2015 you can hear rarely performed Finnish music from classical and romantic era. Broadcast of Rantatie string quartet concert starting at 19:03 Finnish Time (GMT +2)

Erik Tulindberg (1761-1814): String quartet nr 2 d minor
Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775-1838): Divertimento op 9, with Pauliina Fred, flute
Fredrik Pacius (1809-1891): String quartet nr 2 E flat major

You can listen broadcast here: http://yle.fi/radio/yleradio1/suora/

Ilmari Hannikainen's Piano Concerto in B flat minor was performed on 6th December 2013 in Lahti. Sinfonia Lahti was conducted by Okko Kamu and soloist was Arto Satukangas. This performace seems now to be online at http://www.classiclive.com/Concerts/2013/December/INDEPENDENCE-DAY-GALA-CONCERT-Hannikainen-Piano-Concerto

This is a rare performance of this work.

Video of the performance is available at http://areena.yle.fi/tv/2086975 for next 29 days.

I'm interested to know what you think about the piece? It is very different kind of Melartin if you think about his other works.

Traumgesicht was programmed only a month ago. Originally there was to be performance of Pingoud's 1st symphony, but the orchestral parts were in poor shape that they decided to play Traumgesicht instead.

This concert is also broadcast live on German radio on 14th November:

http://www.dradio.de/dkultur/programmtipp/konzert/2297233/

Brian,
5th and 6th symphonies were recorded by Jussi Jalas (1908-1985) in 1974 (5th) and 1982 (6th) for broadcasts. 5th is cut, 6th is following the edition published in 1935. New edition of 5th got its first performance (uncut) in Turku in 2008. New edition of 4th has not yet been performed. 6th is probably next symphony to be edited.

By the way, I also recommend you to listen recording of Melartin's opera Aino (1912). It is much more oratorium than opera.

Melartin also wrote two interesting symphonic poems, Traumgesicht (op. 70, 1910), and Siikajoki (op. 28, 1903). Traumgesicht has not been performed since 1932, Siikajoki is broadcasted now and then. Also very good work is Marjatta (op.79, 1914), it is impressionistic 10 minute work for soprano and orchestra, much like Luonnotar by Sibelius.

There is also recording of two suites Antoine et Cléopâtre and Rêves on Cybelia (CY 842), and three suites on Salammbô are on Ades (203592). Antoine et Cléopâtre is conducted by Leif Segerstam and Salammbô by Jacques Mercier.

By the way, has anyone heard Semiramis? That is the one piece I would like to hear.