This September sees the release of Tarja Turunen’s classical solo debut Ave Maria – En Plein Air. A video for the album’s lead track is streaming below:

Ave Maria is a traditional prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, asking for her intercession. It has been set to music in over 4000 songs, some of which kept the original prayer as words while others used a different text than the traditional one.

Ave Maria – En Plein Air features 12 beautiful “Ave Maria” songs by a wide variety of composers. Tarja Turunen breathes life into some of the most loved and rare songs of Paolo Tosti, David Popper, Astor Piazzolla, and of course Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles Gounod, among others. The closing track of the album presents a magnificent composition by Tarja Turunen herself.

Recorded in the stunning Lakeuden Risti Church in Seinäjoki, Finland – a snow-white landmark, both national heritage and significant example of modern Finnish architecture designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto – the Lutheran church offers the perfect soundscape for Tarja Turunen’s crisp clear voice. Combined with a piercing organ, cello and harp, the music blends into a rich sound universe.

Classical music was Tarja Turunen’s first love. The classically trained soprano studied Church Music at Sibelius Academy in Finland as well as German Lied at the Music University of Karlsruhe, Germany. She became one of the most important female voices of metal: first as part of multi-million selling and groundbreaking symphonic metal band Nightwish and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name and releasing three studio albums so far.

Tarja Turunen has always crossed genres and musical cultures, showing a wide versatility with projects such as Tarja Turunen & Harus and Beauty & The Beat; Harus being a mix of traditional and modern pieces whereas Beauty & The Beat created an interface between classical and rock music, arranged with orchestra and choir.

Tarja Turunen is one of the few artists who can perform at the biggest rock and metal festivals one night, in a cathedral the next. This December, Tarja Turunen will introduce her favorite “Ave Maria’s” as well as her most beloved Christmas carols on tour.

The album will be released as limited super audio CD, vinyl, and download.

CD artwork:

Vinly artwork:

Digital download artwork:

Tracklisting:

“Paolo Tosti”
“Axel Von Kothen”
“David Popper”
“Camille Saint-Saëns”
“Astor Piazzolla”
“J. S. Bach / Charles Gounod”
“Pietro Mascagni”
“Ferenc Farkas”
“Giulio Caccini”
“Michael Hoppé”
“Charles-Marie Widor”
“Tarja Turunen”

Teaser:

Ave Maria Christmas Tour 2015:

December
4 – Olomouc, Czech Republic – Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné
10 – Berlin, Germany – Passionskirche
11 – Bochum, Germany – Christuskirche
12 – Bielefeld, Germany - Altstädter Nikolaikirche
14 – Magdeburg, Germany – Johanniskirche
15 – Mainz, Germany – Frankfurter Hof
16 – Zurich, Switzerland – Theater Spirgarten
21 – Tampere, Finland – Kalevan Kirkko
22 – Helsinki, Finland – Kallion Kirkko
27 – Moscow, Russia – The Great Hall Of Moscow State Conservatory