Tampere Opera presents a thrilling concert version of Sweeney Todd with Ville Rusanen and Maria Ylipää

Tampere Opera will bring the concert version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the Main Auditorium of Tampere Hall on 8–10 January 2026, with a total of three performances. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, 16 May at 9 AM via Tampere Hall and Lippu.fi sales channels.

Composed and written by Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021) with a book by Hugh Wheeler (1912–1987), Sweeney Todd is a modern horror-comedy classic set in Victorian London, telling the gruesome story of a barber who murders his customers. The musical explores themes of revenge through dark humour.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1979, Sweeney Todd has fascinated audiences and critics alike, winning eight Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for Best Musical. The 2007 film adaptation was directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

In Finland, the musical was first staged in 1997 by the Finnish National Opera, where it attracted over 41,000 viewers across 38 performances. The Finnish translation was made by the legendary singer-songwriter Juice Leskinen (1950–2006). The Tampere concert performances will also use Leskinen’s translation.

The concert version in Tampere will be directed by Tuomas Parkkinen. Costume design is by Anna Sinkkonen, and lighting design by Ville Syrjä. The 50-member Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Eeva Kontu. Baritone Ville Rusanen will perform the title role of the vengeful barber, while Maria Ylipää will portray Mrs. Lovett, the infamous pie-maker of London. The other soloists will be announced later. Tampere Opera’s choir will be coached by chorus master Heikki Liimola.

“Sondheim’s masterpiece Sweeney Todd combines all the elements I value in theatre and that fuel my passion for this work: an unexpected storyline, edgy characters, witty lyrics, memorable melodies, and rich orchestration. Add to that the Victorian setting and the macabre events – what’s not to love? Sweeney Todd is a brilliantly crafted musical thriller that appeals to both the intellect and the heart. Directing it is a dream come true,” says director Tuomas Parkkinen.

Baritone Ville Rusanen is one of Finland’s most renowned opera singers and a highly anticipated guest at Tampere Opera. In addition to his opera roles, Rusanen is remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the Finnish National Opera’s production of The Phantom of the Opera from 2015 to 2024. Actress-singer Maria Ylipää, one of Finland’s most luminous artists, is known for her numerous musical theatre, film, and television roles. Her most significant musical theatre achievement has been starring in Kristina från Duvemåla, the celebrated musical by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, in over 300 performances across Helsinki, Gothenburg, and Stockholm.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A Musical Thriller in Concert

Main Auditorium, Tampere Hall

Performances

Thu 8 January 2026 at 6.30 PM
Fri 9 January 2026 at 6.30 PM
Sat 10 January 2026 at 3 PM

Duration: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes, including an intermission. Performed in Finnish.

Sweeney Todd contains scenes that may not be suitable for sensitive viewers. Recommended for audiences aged 12 and up.

Tickets

Standard tickets: €70 / €60 / €55
Pensioners: €66.50 / €56.50 / €51.50
Children and youth (up to 16 years) and students: €25

Please be prepared to present a valid certificate of eligibility for a discount (e.g. student card) to the Tampere Hall staff. Groups of more than 10 people can contact us by email at ryhmamyynti@tampere-talo.fi or by phone at +358 3 243 4501 (Mon–Fri 10 am–4 pm).

Special stage tickets to Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop (18+)

Stage ticket (includes pie serving) €40

Ticket to the performance
Seat at a pub-style table on the front stage
A savory pie (meat or vegetarian, also available gluten-free)

Do you want to spice up your musical experience and make it unforgettable? Purchase tickets to Mrs. Lovett’s cockroach-infested pie shop – right in the middle of the show’s most gruesome events! The special ticket includes a piece of pie.

At stage seats, audience members sit at pub tables set on the front stage of the Main Auditorium, on backless wooden benches. Please note that these stage seats are not accessible, performers and the orchestra are very close by, and the viewing angle is not optimal.

Only a handful of stage tickets are available for each performance, so act quickly. Tickets are unnumbered. Our staff will guide guests to their tables before the performance begins.

Drinks are not included in the ticket price. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be ordered separately from our staff to the tables. Due to licensing regulations, only audience members aged 18 and above may sit in the stage seating area.

Did you know you can enjoy beverages during the performance in this show?

Boxes A and B of the Main Auditorium serve as 18+ areas. If you have purchased a ticket to one of these boxes, you may bring a beverage purchased before the show or during intermission into the auditorium with you. Please note that the age limit of 18 is strictly enforced in these licensed seating areas – underage patrons will not be admitted.

The Artistic team

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Finnish translation by Juice Leskinen

Directed by Tuomas Parkkinen
Music direction by Eeva Kontu
Chorus master Heikki Liimola
Costume design by Anna Sinkkonen
Lighting design by Ville Syrjä

Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Tampere Opera Choir

From an adaptation by Christopher Bond
Originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards, in association with Dean and Judy Manos

Sweeney Todd is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. More information: www.mtishows.com

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

The Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation has supported the development of opera and chamber music activities at Tampere Hall during the years 2024–2025.

Production by Tampere Opera