Estonian Americans here will enjoy a very special concert in Connecticut on Friday, November 14th, when Rahvusooper Estonia concertmaster Tarmo Eespere, piano, RO Estonia soloist Heli Veskus, soprano, will be joined by Hanna-Liina Võsa (well known from previous performances) for a performance in Tolland. A third member of the RO Estonia team, Oliver Kuusik, unfortunately has travel plans which won't allow his coming to Connecticut. The concert here is arranged by the Connecticut Estonian Society in cooperation with the Estonian Central Committee in Canada and the other organizers. Concerts are planned for Toronto, Ottawa, Chicago, Lakewood and to our great pleasure here in Connecticut.

The program in Connecticut will include a range of genres from Estonian, American and World music, selected from the works of some well known Estonian composers, melodies from operettas, lighter opera arias, songs from the singing revolution era and show tunes from American musicals. It promises be a beautiful and enjoyable evening for everyone.

Friday, November 14th, at 7:00 pm
Tolland Arts Center, 22 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT
Coffee and refreshments after the concert. Requested donation: $25.00 adults, under 18 free.

The Performers:

Tarmo Eespere graduated from the Tallinn Music Academy. Was RAM choir concertmaster 1982-1992, Estonian Music Academy faculty member 1993-2005, and the RO Estonia concermaster since 1995. He has worked with most estonian vocal soloists and many from abroad including America. He has performed at Carnerie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Moscow and Budapest Conservatories, and many others.

Heli Veskus graduated from the Estonian Music Academy and subsequently studied song at the Sibelius Academy. She debuted in RO Estonia in 1999, has been a soloist there since 2001, and is on the faculty of Georg Ots Music School. She has had roles in more thean two dozen operas and operettas, including some by Mozart, J. Strauss, Puccini, Orff, Tubin, Lehar and, of course, many others.

Hanna-Liina Võsa started singing in kinderkarten under the guidance of famous singing teacher Ave Kumpas, then joined the Estonian TV Concert Choir and became their soloist. She studied at the American Music and Dramatic Academy and soon after was selected for a lead role in Grease North American Tour. Now has had major roles in more than a dozen musicals of which two were in Connecticut: "Grease" in New Haven's Schubert (2002) and "Happy Days" at the Goodspeed Operahouse.


Directions to Tolland Arts Center:

From the East and Boston or from Hartford and West:
I-84 Exit 68 to Route 195 North toward Tolland.

From the UConn, Willimantic and South :
Route 195 North toward Tolland.
Tolland Green and the Arts Center are 0.5 miles North of I-84 at the traffic light. The Arts Center is the 1st house on right after the traffic light, flag pole in front.


The Connecticut Estonian Society, Inc.
5 Old Post Road, Tolland, CT 06084 / 1-860-875-7997 /

(The Connecticut Estonian Society, Inc. News November 2008)

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