Merja Soria and Seija Cleverley at Trinity United Methodist Church
In conjunction with performances by Merja Soria as Finnish “tradition-bearer”in the 2016 Nordic Christmas Revels in Washington, DC this December, Washington Revels – with co-sponsorship by the Finlandia Foundation and Finn Spark – will present two identical recital programs of Finnish folk music by Merja Soria, coupled with poetry recitations (with written translations) by Seija Kaarina Cleverley, on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14.
Venue on Tuesday, December 13: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd (Rte 123), McLean, VA 22101. Parking available at the church.
Venue on Wednesday, December 14: Washington Revels Studio Space, 531 Dale Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Parking on neighborhood streets or in Silver Spring International Middle School parking lot (3-minute walk from Revels building).
Time: 7:30 to 8:45pm (75 minutes), including a brief Q&A with the performers at the end. There will be no intermission.
Program Content: Merja’s portion will be 45 minutes and include ancient and haunting songs of Suomi, from the Kalevala and beyond, and the playing of multiple types of kanteles. Seija’s recitations, totaling 15 minutes, will be interspersed with the music. After the program, attendees will have the opportunity to buy Merja’s CD, Arctic Silence, and an international cookbook written by Seija.
Ticket Prices: Online: $16 for Adults, $10 for Youth (18-and-under). At door: $18 for Adults, $12 for Youth. Tickets available online until 4pm on day of show.
Background on the Performers
A native of Finland now living in San Diego, Merja Soria was the very first Finlandia Foundation “Performer of the Year” in 1996. She received an MA in Music at the Sibelius Academy in Finland and has taught Finnish music at San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. She has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Seija Cleverley started reciting poetry as a young child. She studied under renowned Finnish recitation artists, competing for and winning prizes throughout Finland. She specializes in poetry from the Kalevala and Kanteletar, and poems by famous poets such as Eino Leino, P. Mustapää, Eeva Kilpi, and Aale Tyyni. She was runner-up for Finlandia Foundation’s “Performer of the Year.”
Information and Questions: Email info@revelsdc.org or, from 9am to 6pm on weekdays, call the Washington Revels office at 301-587-3835 and press option 2.