Afrodite’s Death Opera by Heinz-Juhani Hofmann
Event Introduction
Afrodite’s Death is a tragedy about the fragility of memories, and ultimately, of everything.
It concludes Heinz-Juhani Hofmann’s opera trilogy The Public Life and Death of Afrodite “Didi” Hakkarainen which scrutinises the society of our time.
The work portrays the delicate relationship between a person living with dementia and their family caregiver, while also delving into society’s hidden structures and the ways responsibility for care is distributed. Through Didi and her mother, the opera explores what happens when a neurodivergent person takes on a caregiving role for which they lack sufficient resources and support. Who is responsible for care, in the end? And what happens to a person who falls into the blind spot between the system and their loved ones — invisible even when help is, in principle, available?
Content warning: Some scenes contain references to violence as well as themes related to mental health. Age recommendation: 15+.
Note! Meet the artists after the show. Annika Fuhrmann, Lija Fischer and Vuokko Lahtinen in discussion with Tuuli Lindeberg, artistic director of Musica nova Helsinki. The discussion will be held in English.
Performers and creative team:
Annika Fuhrmann, Didi
Kaisa Niemi, Mother
Veera Kuusirati, soprano
Inga Sauranen, mezzo-soprano
Juhani Vesikkala, baritone
Jussi Linnanmäki, bass
Laura Ollberg, harpsichord and harmonium
Markus Kuikka, viola da gamba
Heinz-Juhani Hofmann, composition / libretto / sound design
Lija Fischer, stage director
Vuokko Lahtinen, conductor
Iida Ukkola, costume and set design
Kalle Paasonen, lighting design
Map
Event Information
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Time:
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Sat 13.2.2027 13:00–14:10
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Duration: 1h 10 min
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Organiser:
Heinz-Juhani Hofmann
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Address:
WHS Theatre Union
Siltavuorenranta 18
00170 Helsinki -
Accessibility:
The event is accessible with a wheelchair.
The event does not have an accessible toilet.
There is no difference in height between the step and the tarmac in front of the main entrance. The tarmac in front of the door slopes gently. On the outside of the main entrance, there are two thresholds approximately 2 cm high, which can usually be negotiated in a wheelchair or with other mobility aids. There is a ramp on the inside of the front door.
There is unobstructed access to the theatre auditorium, the accessible toilet and the bar counter. There are ramps at the entrance to the bar counter and at the door to the theatre auditorium. There is usually one wheelchair space in the theatre auditorium, located in the back row. If necessary, additional wheelchair spaces can be arranged in the back row. The auditorium is equipped with an induction loop, the coverage of which extends to all seats except for the two front rows. There is no induction loop at the ticket desk.
Carers are granted free admission to screenings, provided the screening is not sold out. Assistance dogs or guide dogs are permitted in the cinema.
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Tickets:
Price (full price): 29 EUR / Concessionary tickets (students, pensioners, the unemployed, those performing military or civilian service, and members of the Finnish Musicians’ Union and the Finnish Composers’ Union) 18 EUR / Accessibility ticket 8 EUR / Support ticket 49 EUR € (WHS Teatteri Union)
