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Philomela was founded in 1984 to promote high-quality Finnish female choir music. Its first artistic director was Marjukka Riihimäki, who was given free rein to shape the choir in her own image. Riihimäki's vision bore fruit: the choir soon became a respected and well-known ensemble both domestically and internationally. Philomela has performed concerts on five continents and has won numerous competitions, including championships at the European Choir Games and the World Choir Games in 2013 and 2014.

Since 2023, Philomela has been led by Anna Gallon. Under Gallon's direction, the choir is renewing its sound and aiming for an increasingly diverse expressive range. The musical core of Philomela continues to consist of narratively driven compositions influenced by folk music, but the choir also collaborates closely with artists known in the light music scene and is capable of performing classical orchestral productions if desired.

Philomela's sound has been described as bold, simultaneously sensitive, gentle, and powerful. We believe that strong, physical expression and precise musicality do not have to take space from each other. We hope to be simultaneously unwavering in our artistic goals and attentive to every person sitting in the audience.

Singers

SOPRANO 1
Nina Aremo, Laura Aurola, Elisa Kauppinen, Minna Makkonen, Satu Niemelä, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Satu Niemelä, Laura Pauha, Kaisa-Leena Rousu, Maija Rytkönen, Silja Saari, Nina Ylinen, Siinamari Ylivuori

SOPRANO 2
Pia Bäckman, Heidi Chydenius, Charlotta Hagfors, Anne Koski, Anu Makkonen, Elina Mäkelä, Mari Nieminen, Hanne Nyman, Cécile Orblin, Laura Paalanen, Tanja Pinola, Tuuli Puhakka, Hanna Renvall, Iiris Renvall, Anniina Sarkola, Julia Suikkanen, Laura Valkiala

ALTO 1
Pilvi Burman, Annika Ekelund, Anna Erkkilä, Leena Gardiner, Elisa Heikkinen, Heidi Heino, Taru Helenius, Niina Into, Matleena Kostiainen, Satu Kujanpää, Elina Kuorelahti, Mira Lattu, Tanja Miinalainen, Kaisa Männistö, Päivi Ojanperä, Laura Vehviläinen

ALTO 2
Saara Almiala, Terhi Hietanen, Kirsi Hyyppä, Emma Juvonen, Suvi Krogerus, Johanna Ojanperä, Sari Salmikivi, Ulla Soikkeli, Helena Taberman, Aino Torttila, Tuuli Turjanmaa, Kaarina Valovirta-Lahti, Katri Vänttinen

Photo: Antti Vuori

Artistic Director

Anna Gallon is a versatile professional in vocal music — a choir conductor, composer, arranger, and skilled educator. She graduated from the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki with a master's degree in choir conducting in 2022 and a master's degree in music education in 2018. Gallon has worked extensively with various choirs and vocal ensembles across Europe and is also a sought-after composer and arranger. She became the artistic director of Philomela in 2023, and under her leadership, the Norwegian professional choir Vokal Nord and the Helsinki-based female choir Elegia also perform. Additionally, Gallon sings herself in the vocal ensemble Kuvaja.

Photo: Johannes Erkkilä

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