New York, Milan, Paris, London, Rome. Now it is Helsinki's turn to experience how Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan transforms into a woman wounded to the core. Poulenc's opera has only one character, a woman who talks – or rather sings – on the phone to her lover. As the call progresses, it becomes clear that the relationship is falling apart, as the man has fallen in love with someone else.
Hannigan describes the one-woman drama, based on Jean Cocteau's play, in her own words: "The opera seems to present a situation in which a woman (Elle) is having a painful and final conversation with her ex-lover, in which we only hear her words, not his. This one-sided conversation is absolutely full of contradictions, lies, fantasy and desire. I find myself asking if there even is an ex-lover?”
Season tickets are on sale from 27 October to 24 November 2026.
Single tickets for concerts go on sale on 2 December 2026.
Yes, but only before or after the concert. During the concert we just want you to enjoy the music. This way you won’t disturb the musicians or other audience members.
Only the orchestra has a dress code. You can dress as you like.
You can give the ticket to a friend or donate it to a music student by calling 09-3102 2700 or sending an e-mail to helsinki.philharmonic@hel.fi by 3pm on the day of the concert.
