STRATOVARIUS Singer, Guitarist To Perform Acoustically On Finnish TV

STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto and new guitarist Matias Kupiainen will perform acoustically tonight (Sunday, May 3) on the "Musiikki-TV" show on Finland's TV2 channel at 22.35 Finnish time.

Kotipelto played a short set for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 20 at a presidential dinner held by Finnish President Tarja Halonen in honor of Medvedev's visit to Finland. Timo was accompanied during the performance by Matias Kupiainen, Jani Liimatainen (CAIN'S OFFERING, ex-SONATA ARCTICA) and the Kaarti military band/orchestra led by conductor Elias Seppälä.

Around 130 people attended the dinner, including Finnish political leaders, a number of high-rank officials, diplomats, and representatives of finance and culture.

A metal fanatic, Medvedev listened to Kotipelto's three-song performance (consisting of the STRATOVARIUS hits "Hunting High And Low" and "Black Diamond" plus a cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Burn") with excitement and, according to Ilta-Sanomat, asked for one more number. The musicians then launched into the RAINBOW song "I Surrender".