TARJA TURUNEN To Embark On Tour Of Finnish Churches

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen will take part in a unique Christmas tour 2010 with well-known Finnish musicians — Kalevi Kiviniemi, Marzi Nyman and Markku Krohn. They will perform in churches in Oulu, Lahti, Kuopio, Pori and Keuruu. The Artistic Director of the concerts is Kalevi Kiviniemi and the concerts are organized by Rowan3 Productions. The tickets are on pre-sale via Menolippu, Lippupalvelu and Tiketti.

Tarja Turunen has studied classical singing and church music at Sibelius Academy in Kuopio and in a music university in Karlsruhe, Germany. She was the lead singer in NIGHTWISH between 1996 and 2005. After that she started her solo career stronger than ever and an intimate Christmas theme was a success for Turunen, who recorded the Christmas album "Henkäys Ikuisuudesta" in 2006. The album was produced by Esa Nieminen and it sold platinum in Finland. Tarja's first international solo album, "My Winter Storm", was released in November 2007 and achieved gold status in Finland on the day of the release. The album was No. 1 in the Finnish charts and sold platinum in Finland. "My Winter Storm" also achieved gold in Hungary, Russia and in the Czech Republic. Tarja's second solo album, "What Lies Beneath", has been also released worldwide in September 2010. As a solo artist Tarja has made many tours in Europe, America and in South America with her band. She also made an appearance at the Savonlinna Opera Festival and in the Finnish National Opera. She has also performed live in chamber music concerts worldwide.

Concert organist Kalevi Kiviniemi (b. 1958) is one of the internationally most active Finnish instrumental musicians. He has performed in most European countries, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and the United States as a concert and recording artist. He has served as a jury member in many international organ competitions and given masterclasses. Kalevi Kiviniemi was the Artistic Director of the Lahti Organ Festival for ten years between 1991 and 2001. As a recording artist, Kalevi Kiviniemi's recordings exceed 140 records. The recording venues have included important organs in Finland as well as historical instruments in the USA, Japan, the Philippines, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. Kalevi Kiviniemi has also received several awards in recognition of his remarkable work in the field of organ culture.

Marzi Nyman is a Finnish guitarist, who has become famous due to several TV shows in Finland. He has played with numerous groups, for example as a band mate of Lenni-Kalle Taipale, Iiro Rantala new trio, UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA and NYLON BEAT.

As a percussion artist of Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Markku Krohn has become a well-known classical musician in Finland. He has studied music, for example, in the Graz International Bilingual School. After 20 years in Finnish music scene, Markku gave his best performances with the Tapiola Sinfonietta at the beginning of the '90s and at the Spanish Nights of Granada in Alhambra palace in 1998.

Christmas Concerts 2010:

Tarja Turunen: Vocals
Kalevi Kiviniemi: Organ
Marzi Nyman: Guitar
Markku Krohn: Percussion

The dates are as follows:

Nov. 29 - Oulu, Tuomiokirkko
Nov. 30 - Kuopio, Tuomiokirkko
Dec. 02 - Pori, Keski-Porin kirkko
Dec. 03 - Lahti, Sibeliustalo
Dec. 05 - Keuruu, Keuruun Uusi kirkko