TARJA TURUNEN Announces Finnish Christmas Tour

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen will embark on a Christmas tour of Finland with renowned Finnish musicians Kalevi Kiviniemi, Marzi Nyman and Markku Krohn. They will perform in churches in Lappeenranta, Joensuu, Tampere, Haapajärvi and Seinäjoki and at the Sibelius Hall in Lahti.

During 2009, Tarja has performed only three times in Finland: at Rockperry festival in Vaasa, at SOI Suvessa classical music festival in Mäntyharju and with the Tampere Philarmonic Orchestra.

The upcoming shows will mark the last time Tarja will play Finland before the release of her second album, "What Lies Beneath", in 2010.

The dates are as follows:

Dec. 04 - Lahti, Sibelius Hall
Dec. 05 - Tampere, Kaleva Church
Dec. 10 - Lappeenranta, The Church of Maria
Dec. 12 - Joensuu, The Church of Joensuu
Dec. 13 - Haapajärvi, The Churh of Haapajärvi
Dec. 18 - Seinäjoki, The Church of Lakeuden risti

About the artists:

Concert organist Kalevi Kiviniemi (b. 1958) is one of the internationally most active Finnish instrumental musicians. He has performed in most European countries, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and the United States as a concert and recording artist. He has served as a jury member in many international organ competitions and given masterclasses. Kalevi Kiviniemi was the Artistic Director of the Lahti Organ Festival for ten years between 1991 and 2001. As a recording artist, Kalevi Kiviniemi's recordings exceed a hundred records. The recording venues have included important organs in Finland as well as historical instruments in the USA, Japan, the Philippines, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. Kalevi Kiviniemi has also received several awards in recognition of his remarkable work in the field of organ culture.

Marzi Nyman is a Finnish guitarist, who has become famous due to several TV shows in Finland. He has played with numerous groups; for example as a bandmate of Lenni-Kalle Taipale, Iiro Rantala new trio, UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA and NYLON BEAT.

As a percussion artist of Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Markku Krohn has become a well-known classical musician in Finland. He has studied music for example in the Graz International Bilingual School. After 20 years in Finnish music scene Markku gave his best performances with the Tapiola Sinfonietta at the beginning of the '90s and at the Spanish Nights of Granada in Alhambra palace in 1998.