Former NIGHTWISH singer TARJA TURUNEN has confirmed a Christmas tour with renowned Finnish musicians Kalevi Kiviniemi, Marzi Nyman and Markku Krohn. This is not the first time the four of them get together, and it won’t certainly be the last one.

They will perform in churches in Lappeenranta, Joensuu, Tampere, Haapajärvi and Seinäjoki and in Lahti, in the well-known Sibelius Hall. 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 Tampere Philarmonic Orchestra Halloween Concert, and this is the last chance to see her live during 2009 before the release of her second album What Lies Beneath in 2010.

These are the tour dates:

December

4 - Lahti, Finland - Sibelius Hall
5 - Tampere, Finland - Kaleva Church
10 - Lappeenranta, Finland - The Church Of Maria
12 - Joensuu, Finland - The Church Of Joensuu
13 - Haapajärvi, Finland - The Church Of Haapajärvi
18 - Seinäjoki, Finland - 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 band mate 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 performaces with the Tapiola Sinfonietta at the beginning of the 90's and at the Spanish Nights of Granada in Alhambra palace in 1998.