"Does the condemned know his sentence?"
"No. There would be no point in telling him. He'll learn it on his body."

An explorer visits a penal colony to witness an execution. The execution is carried out in a machine in which hundreds of needles scratch the crime of which the condemned man has been sentenced onto his bare skin. A cruel but rewarding story of inhumanity and cruelty, full of human loyalty, obsession, sacrifice and conflict. What is the correct punishment for disobedience?

Music by Philip Glass
Libretto by Rudolf Wurlitzer
Based on the story by Franz Kafka
Directed by Janne Lehmusvuo
Choreography by Thomas Freundlich

A production of Helsinki Skaala Opera




Photo: Valtteri Raekallio, Thomas Freundlich, Vikke Häkkinen (Photo by Mikko Erva)

Libretto translated into Finnish by Taina Seitovirta
Costumes by Tyra Therman
Lighting by Kalle Aaltonen
Sound by Jan Hedengren
Stage manager: Santeri Merjankari
Costumes realized by Hanna Haavikko and Lea Karlin
Makeup by Kukka-Maaria Silius
Stage technician: Mikko Kalliomäki

Musical director and conductor: Sasha Mäkilä
Soloists: Vikke Häkkinen (baritone), Juha Hostikka (tenor)
Dancers: Thomas Freundlich, Valtteri Raekallio
Orchestra: Mauri Kuokkanen (viola), Sampo Lassila (bass) Tuure Paalanen (cello), Janne Tateno (violin), Jukka Untamala (violin)

Finnish premiere at Alexander Theatre, Helsinki, March 11th, 2006