‘Last Night of the Proms’ Benefit Concert

September 11 at 18:00 – 19:30 · The British Embassy, Helsinki (Itäinen Puistotie 17, 00140 Helsinki) · Tickets 25.00€ – 35.00€

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Join us for a rousing celebration of British musical tradition as we bring a taste of London’s famous Proms finale to Helsinki! We are very grateful to be hosting this benefit concert for St Nicholas’ Anglican Church in the beautiful residence of the British Embassy, thanks to Ambassador Laura Davies.

Enjoy a selection of the stirring favourites that make the Last Night so popular, including Rule Britannia!, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, and Auld Lang Syne! As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten, you can also expect some wonderful musical tributes – including his arrangement of British Folk Songs.

Did you know that Finland has a special link to the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms, thanks to conductor Sakari Oramo who returns for the 7th time this year!

Drinks & light Snacks will be available for a suggested donation to the church during the interval. We accept cash and card.

Dress Code: Smart. Proms Spirit and audience participation is actively encouraged. Flags will be provided if you wish to wave one! Please remember to bring your valid photo ID to the British Embassy, it is recommended to arrive in good time for security checks.

We are delighted to feature the following soloists alongside the St Nicholas Chamber Choir, accompanied by acclaimed pianist Kristian Attila:

Laura Heinonen – a Finnish soprano who has sung in a variety of roles for opera, operetta and musicals. Laura holds a Master’s degree from Sibelius Academy and is especially praised for her expressive and captivating stage performances – both vocally and on stage. She has previously won 1st prize at Kangasniemi Singing Competition and was a finalist in both the Merikanto Singing Competition and the Robert Stolz Operetta Singing Competition. Laura will make her next appearance on the operatic stage on January 2027 as Taina, the mother of Aino in composer Erkki Melartins opera Aino.

Luke Scott – a Scottish baritone who has been seen on stages around the world and performed with many of Finland’s leading orchestras. Luke graduated with a Masters of Music in Opera from the Sibelius Academy and is also an alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music. A dynamic young artist, Luke was selected as a ‘Rising Star of Voice’ at the 2025 edition of the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. He was also winner of the Special Prize for Song from the SOI Cedolins International Competition 2024 and the Finnish Wagner Society’s Bayreuther Festspiele Scholarship prize and Audience prize. Luke will join the Finnish National Opera’s Sugar Factory – New Opera Works programme as a guest teacher in November.

Leon Sturdee – a British-trained freelance violinist, he is a graduate of the University of Cambridge where he was concertmaster of the Cambridge University Orchestra. Leon also studied violin and viola at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Recent projects include Tippett’s ‘A Child of Our Time’ with Martyn Brabbins and Poulenc’s ‘Sinfonietta’ with Jac van Steen. He currently works as a freelance violinist and music teacher in Helsinki.

We are indebted to all our singers and musicians for giving their time and wonderful talents in aid of St Nicholas’ Church, led by our very own Finnish-Canadian Conductor, Erik Johannes Riekko. Special thanks to H.E Ambassador Laura Davies and the staff at the British Embassy for kindly hosting us.

The Anglican Church in Finland has existed for over a hundred years and our ministry continues thanks to the grants and individual donations that we so gratefully receive.

Tickets are limited so avoid disappointment by purchasing them as soon as possible!