The Red Line 2-DVD Set – Aulis Sallinen’s Powerful Opera

UPC: 0761195040089

Product Features

• Title: The Red Line ("Punainen viiva")
• Composer: Aulis Sallinen
• Production: Finnish National Opera, co-produced with YLE
• Performers: Jorma Hynninen (Topi), Päivi Nisula (Riika), Aki Alamikkotervo (Puntarpää), Hannu Forsberg (Simana Arhippaini)
• Conductor: Mikko Franck
• Format: 2-DVD Set, NTSC, All Regions (PAL/NTSC dual compatibility required)
• Audio Formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English, Finnish
• Running Time: 115 minutes (opera), 44 minutes (bonus)
• Year: 2010
• Publisher: Ondine, Finnish National Opera, YLE

Overview

Aulis Sallinen's "The Red Line" is a gripping opera in two acts, based on the novel by Ilmari Kianto, with a libretto written by the composer himself. First performed in 1978, the opera tells the poignant and politically charged story of Topi, a poor crofter, and his wife Riika, as they struggle with poverty and the harsh realities of life in rural Finland at the turn of the 20th century. The title refers to the red line drawn on the ballot in Finland's first democratic election, a symbol of hope and change for the country’s working class.

This 2010 production by the Finnish National Opera, conducted by Mikko Franck, is a powerful realization of Sallinen’s music, blending raw human emotion with political commentary. The performance features standout roles by Jorma Hynninen and Päivi Nisula, alongside the Tsuumi Dance Company, who bring added depth to the staging. With its intense score and moving storyline, "The Red Line" is a masterpiece of modern opera, resonating on both a national and universal level.

Interesting Facts

• Aulis Sallinen is one of Finland’s most celebrated composers, known for his operatic works that explore social and political themes.
• The opera is based on the 1909 novel by Ilmari Kianto, which captures the political tension of Finland's first democratic election, when universal suffrage was introduced.
• Jorma Hynninen, who plays Topi, is a renowned Finnish baritone, and his portrayal in this production received critical acclaim for its emotional depth.
• The Red Line is often compared to other iconic 20th-century operas like Wozzeck by Alban Berg and Jenufa by Leoš Janáček for its raw, human storytelling.
• The Tsuumi Dance Company’s choreography adds a dynamic visual element to this production, reflecting the emotional and political upheavals in the story.

Track Listing

1. Act 1
2. Act 2

Bonus Features:

• Interviews with Aulis Sallinen, Pekka Milonoff, Mikko Franck, and Jorma Hynninen

Publishers

• Ondine
• Finnish National Opera
• YLE

Hashtags

#TheRedLine #AulisSallinen #JormaHynninen #FinnishOpera #MikkoFranck #OndineDVD #OperaDVD #ModernOpera #IlmariKianto #FinnishNationalOpera #ContemporaryOpera