Kalle Nio & Fernando Melo - Tempo

Tempo -- on the curious elasticity of time. In Tempo, time is explored: its acceleration, deceleration and the moments when it seems to stand completely still.

At the centre is an everyday event that transforms into something extraordinary, which illuminates life's fragility through moments of falling, stumbling and near-misses. The work is directed by visual artist and magician Kalle Nio, with choreography by Fernando Melo and music by Samuli Kosminen.

Tempo weaves together text, movement and enchanting stage illusions where time reverses, gravity ceases and the laws of nature dissolve. Dreamlike, wordless scenes alternate with rhythmic compositions for prepared metronomes and Harry Salmenniemi's moving text about the curious elasticity of time.

Through magic and movement, Tempo invites the audience to pause, reflect and truly feel the present moment. Tempo is the first collaboration between magician and visual artist Kalle Nio and choreographer Fernando Melo.

The work is based on a text by Harry Salmenniemi and on wordless scenes centring on dance and stage illusions -- where time slows down, turns and stops.

Performance length: 70 minutes (without interval) Kalle Nio (b. 1982) is a Finnish director, visual artist and magician, known for combining visual theatre, experimental film, contemporary circus and modern magic. His group, WHS, has performed on over 200 stages in more than 40 countries and received international recognition.

Nio, who holds a master's degree in fine arts from the University of the Arts Helsinki, has collaborated with prestigious institutions such as Fondation d'entreprise Hermès, Helsinki Festival and Théâtre de la Cité internationale in Paris. Brazilian-born Fernando Melo has built a distinguished career in Europe.

He has choreographed works for leading dance companies, including Gothenburg Opera's Dance Company, Scania Dance Theatre and Ballet Hispanico in New York. His works often include elements of magic and stage illusions, which enrich productions in both dance and opera -- among other things through collaboration