The year 2025 in a nutshell
Article 26.3.2026
The activities of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) have grown significantly over the past ten years, and it is therefore no surprise that the highlights of 2025 also feature large and record-breaking figures.
THE YEAR 2025 IN A NUTSHELL
Records and diversity under shared artistic leadership
Under the guidance of its shared artistic leadership, 2025 once again saw record-breaking figures: 191 performances in Finland and abroad, nearly 32,000 audience members, and for the fifth time, a total operating volume exceeding one million euros—over €1,200,000. Of these performances, 130 took place in the orchestra’s home city of Helsinki, while five concerts were given abroad.
Operations continued to be led by a three-member artistic leadership team (trio) consisting of musicians. In 2025, the trio included Executive Manager and violist Laura Kajander as well as artistic planners. Violinist Anthony Marini concluded his four-year term in a leadership role. Harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson served as a planner during the spring, and Irma Niskanen joined in the autumn. In addition to project-based artistic planning, the trio steered collaboration with 2025 partners and laid the groundwork for various long-term initiatives.
Towards Baroque opera with major grant support
The Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation awarded FiBO a €504,000 grant to establish fully staged and musically ambitious Baroque opera production in Finland through three productions and related activities. As a result, collaboration with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet has already begun. The first production will premiere in autumn 2026.
Concert locations in Finland (22 in total)
Askola, Espoo, Forssa, Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Järvenpää, Kimitoön, Kirkkonummi, Kuhmo, Loimaa, Loviisa, Mäntyharju, Nurmes, Porvoo, Pyhtää, Raseborg, Salo, Siuntio, Tampere, Turku, Vantaa, Varkaus
Concert locations abroad
Bern, Seville, Świnoujście, Tallinn, Zurich
Highlights of the year
In addition to the major grant for Baroque opera, highlights of the year included Finland’s first concert incorporating scent design, two sold-out performances at the Helsinki Music Centre with Olavi Uusivirta and AUF partners, and three performances of Haydn’s The Seasons, where the enthusiasm of the choir, orchestra, soloists, and conductor resulted in an outstanding overall performance.
A significant artistic milestone was the orchestra’s appearance at the PianoEspoo festival, where Tchaikovsky’s and Grieg’s piano concertos were performed for the first time in Finland on period instruments.
Audience feedback
“You just don’t feel like going to sleep after a concert like this—you’re too excited!”
“I cried and enjoyed it immensely.”
“FiBO is always so wonderful.”
“What—this can’t be over already!”
Media mentions
“Is Handel’s Messiah more harmful to children than Erika Vikman’s Eurovision entry?”
Helsingin Sanomat / reader opinion, 11 Feb 2025
“A concert that will remain in our memory, and perhaps stand among the most surprising and satisfying of this year’s FEMÁS festival.”
El Correo de Andalucía / Juan José Roldán, 6 Apr 2025
“The Finnish Baroque Orchestra, despite fielding ‘only’ 35 musicians, achieved the clarity and precision that are the hallmarks of the finest historically informed performances. It was equally refreshing to see a choir—undoubtedly encouraged by their artistic director Florian Helgath—unafraid to enliven a classical oratorio with well-judged theatricality.
I hadn’t expected to leave a performance of The Seasons with a smile on my face. But that’s exactly what I did, on a rainy autumn evening in Helsinki.”
acge.net / Albert Ehrnrooth, Oct 2025
Principal supporters
City of Helsinki
Ministry of Education and Culture
Major ongoing projects
Bach’s Mass in B minor in Southwest Finland with Key Ensemble (2024–2026)
Top European Choirs series (2022–2026)
Huudeilla, The Helsinki Model project in Kannelmäki and Malminkartano (2025–2027)
Lähelle project with the Helsinki Chamber Choir (2024–2026)
Premieres
Two world premieres by Finnish composers (Lara Poe, Matilda Seppälä), three world premieres by international composers (Santa Ratniece, Karin Rehnqvist, Helena Tulve), eight premieres of orchestrations and arrangements, and one Finnish premiere (Anna Clyne).
