The woman has to make a dress she has never dared to make before. She plans to sew all night, and then she would be ready to go.
She thinks about love and its end, friendship, and the materials of a power plant, water, and human. The party awaits, the water, stopped by concrete, moves restlessly in its pool. Something is breaking, starting over.
The monologue opera Silkkiperhonen (The Silk Butterfly), based on a libretto by Minna Mikkonen, is a composition by Tuomas Kettunen for singer and electronics. The performance is directed by Jenni Kinnunen.
The monologue opera will be performed in the spring of 2026 at the Seitenoikea power plant in the midst of Kainuu forests and rivers. The roar of the power plant and the physicality of the environment are part of the dramaturgy of the work. During the performance, the audience will be guided through the power plant premises, where sound, space and movement form a holistic experience. The tour, including the performance, lasts about an hour and includes height differences, stairs and varying conditions.
There is a limited number of tickets available for the performances, max. 10 tickets per performance. Please read the audience guidelines below for more details.
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. The Silk Butterfly is part of the Northern Opera Company’s Hydropower Plants series, which is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program and cultural climate change.
Artists
Librettist — Minna Mikkonen
Composer — Tuomas Kettunen
Director & Producer — Jenni Kinnunen
Soprano — Minna-Leena Lahti
Harp — Hilda Kunnola
Costume and set design — Johanna Pelkonen & Jenni Kinnunen
We thank you for your support — Oulu2026 Foundation, Arts Promotion Centre, Kone Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation Central Fund & Teosto
Thanks for the co-operation — Fortum Power & Heat, Ristijärvi and Hyrynsalmi municipalities
The monologue opera is based on the Silk Butterfly audio play, which premiered as part of the MULF III Muhos Lifestyle Festival in 2022.
The Silk Butterfly audio play
Author — Minna Mikkonen
Voice actress in the audio play — Eeva Hartemaa
Music in the audio play — Tuomas Kettunen: “Magnetic Fields” solo harp, soloist Katilyne Roels (2022/2023)
Recording, mixing & mastering of the audio play — Lauri Marjakangas
Dress installation — Johanna Pelkonen
Audience Guide
Practical matters
- The duration of the tour is appr. 1 h
- The tour is conducted as a group with a guide
- Minimum age for tour participants is 12 years
- The access to the restrooms is limited during the tour and they are not accessible
- Unfortunately, participation in the tour is not possible for people with pacemakers
About the content of the tour
Moving
- The tour is not accessible, i.e. it is not suitable for people using wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility aids.
- The tour is physically challenging, as it involves a lot of walking and going up and down stairs due to height differences. Some of the stairs have no railings at all, and the views from the stairs are sometimes suddenly deepening and falling.
- The spaces are sometimes dim and cramped in places.
- During the tour, watch out for ropes or other objects or obstacles that may be lying on the floors. In addition, the surfaces can also be uneven.
Sounds
- During the tour, there is a continuous, steady, rumbling sound from the power plant. The thunder is also part of the work experienced during the tour, as the work utilises the power plant’s own soundscape.
- Earplugs are available before the loudest part of the tour, which is located in the machinery hall.
Other things to note during the tour
- The tour does not include flashing lights
- You can feel the shaking of the earth
- Indoor air quality varies; some of the premises have dust and various strong smells
- Indoor temperature varies
- It is good to be prepared with your own water bottle, but we ask you to leave larger bags home
- Clothes may get messy during the tour
- Equip yourself with shoes that are good for you to walk in
- A helmet and high-visibility vest will be worn on the tour, which will be distributed before the start of the tour
- It is not possible to sit down during the tour, with a couple of exceptions
- You cannot participate in the tour under the influence of alcohol
The event is subject to the principles of a safer space.
