Thousand Times Yes
Experimental chamber opera for soprano, cello, harp, chamber choir and tape.
70 min

Performances:
Inkonst in collaboration with IAC, Malmö (October 2021)
Kunsthal Rønnebæksholm, Naestved (May 2022)
Kiasma Theater, Helsinki  2022)

An ancient organism in the Earth’s crust has started to transform and rise towards the surface. Its movements are resonated by the surrounding bodies of Minerals, Bacteria, Fungi, Gasses and the Atmosphere, resulting instability and uncertainty that clusters into a web of unexpected conflicts. Our protagonist is a human called G, who is unwillingly equipped with a skill to connect and communicate with different bodies and beings. She is summoned to mediate between the conflicting parties – and eventually with the ancient underground organism itself. G finally throws herself to the task fully, but the forces of the Universe are unexpected.

Music by Marja Ahti
Libretto, scenography & paintings by Jenny Kalliokulju
Concept, directing & costumes by Essi Kausalainen

Malmö ensemble:
G: Johanna Kalliokulju
Bee: Florian Feigl
MA: Marja Ahti
Washing machine / Worm / Stream: Yuko Takeda
Cello: Henning Fredriksson
Harp & stream: Ingrid Larsson
Stream: Edith Glader

Rønnebæksholm ensemble:
G: Johanna Kalliokulju
Bee: Florian Feigl
MA: Marja Ahti
Washing machine / Worm / Stream: Yuko Takeda
Cello: Henning Fredriksson
Harp & stream: Ingrid Larsson
Stream: Naestved elementary school class

Helsinki ensemble:
G: Johanna Kalliokulju
Bee: Florian Feigl
MA: Marja Ahti
Washing machine / Worm / Stream: Yuko Takeda
Stream: Ahti Leppänen, Villa Ruscica, Etna Ruscica
Cello: Aino Juutilainen
Harp: Saara Olarte

Kiasma ARS22 – Living encounters, August 2022.
Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Pirje Mykkänen