Ilkka Kuusisto in memoriam

Ilkka Kuusisto died on 20. February at the age of 91. He was an active and charming figure in Finnish musical life as well as a versatile talent with a long and respected career as composer, conductor and arts administrator. He started as a church organist and worked as choirmaster, teacher, publishing director of Edition Fazer and director of the Finnish National Opera. Despite his various roles he took time for composing and was astonishingly productive with works ranging from jazz and film music to vocal music. Kuusisto is especially known for his beloved operas such as the Moomin Opera.