Tallinn International Bach Music Festival

bachFest 2025

 

January 1st 4 PM Tallinn Dome Church

NEW YEAR’S CONCERT

 

Mirell Jakobson, soprano

Maarja Helstein, alto

Anto Õnnis, tenor

Henry Tiisma, bass

Mixed Choir HUIK!

Choir Master Ode Pyrg

Estonian Sinfonietta

Conductor Jaan Ots

 

Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer: Chaconne Premiere in Estonia

Johann Sebastian Bach:               

    Orchestral Suite No.3 BWV 1068

    New Years’ Cantata Jesu, nun sei gepreiset BWV 41

300 years from Premiere 01.01.1725!

 

Mirell Jakobson graduated cum laude from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with a master’s degree in classical singing under Professor Nadia Kurem. In addition to opera roles, Mirell Jakobson has sung as a soloist in large-scale works such as Poulenc’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Krönungsmesse, Tüür’s Requiem, Schubert’s Messe C-Dur, Purcell’s Ode to St. Cecilia, Vivaldi’s Gloria and others. From 2015 to 2019 she sang in the chamber choir Collegium Musicale. Mirell Jakobson sings with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir from the 2024 / 2025 season.

 

Maarja Helstein studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre as choir conductor with Ants Soots and gained her Bachelor’s degree under the guidance of Heli Veskus as singer. She has sung in the chamber choirs of Tartu University, Collegium Musicale, and the Lübeck Choir Academy. She has been a soloist in Pergolesi’s ‘Magnificat’, Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’, Mozart’s Mass Brevis and Saint-Saëns’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’. Maarja  Helstein joined the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir  2016.

 

In addition to playing the percussion, Anto Õnnis has been singing since 2001. in sacred music ensemble Heinavanker and since 2010 in the ensemble Vox Clamantis, with which he has participated in
concerts and festivals throughout Europe and the USA. Since 2011 Anto Õnnis has been collaborating with the ensemble Hortus Musicus as a vocal soloist.

 

Henry Tiisma studied technology and economy of construction at the Tallinn University of Technology and worked as a civil engineer prior to singing professionally.His life changed when he happened to be part of an immensely successful production of ‘Songs of Estonian Men’, based on Veljo Tormis’ music, which was produced by Peeter Jalakas and Tõnu Kaljuste. As a result of his performance, Tõnu Kaljuste invited him to join the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in 2009, where he has been singing to this day.

 

Mixed choir HUIK! was founded in 2009 by conductor Kaspar Mänd, who led the choir for nine seasons.
The choir has participated successfully in several international competitions. Recent highlights include 1st place at the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition 2023 in Cork, Ireland, 2nd place in the mixed choirs and folk music category at the Tallinn 2023 competition, and 2nd place at the Ave Verum competition in Austria in 2022.