Bursting with tigers and dragons, Satakieli - Ballettikoulu Sinikello’s adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale – hits the stage this weekend in a flurry of red and gold silk.
Dancers at the Satakieli ballet Satakieli transports the audience to the realm of a Chinese emperor whose kingdom is noted for its natural beauty, especially the beauty of the nightingale’s heart-stirring melody.  However, things start to go wrong in the emperor’s court when his subjects attempt to create a flashier, mechanical version of the bird. Only the true nightingale can save the emperor when trouble strikes.

Dancers at the Satakieli ballet

Satakieli impresses with exquisite costuming, bold set design, and innovative choreography, all of which incorporate various aspects of Chinese folklore, culture, art, and music.

Ballettikoulu Sinikello’s director Päivi Honkakoski said she was inspired to stage Satakieli for the school’s annual spring production after a recent trip to China. While there she purchased many of the materials for the costumes and set.  When asked how it was to write the libretto for the production and choreograph parts for well over a hundred students, Päivi responded, ‘It takes time!’

Ludi Wang, a 14-year-old student at Balettikoulu Sinikello, mentioned that her favorite part of the performance was working with students from different age groups, which range from the smallest flower bud to the tallest courtier. ‘I think the story is nice, and there are so many children and it’s nice to see them dancing.’

Satakieli is a visual extravaganza that will delight audience members young and old alike.  Performance times are Saturday, 16^th May at 1pm and 3.30pm, and Sunday, 17^th May at the same times at Pohjankartano.

Ticket prices are 8 euros for children, students, and pensioners and 9 euros for everybody else.