Finnish conductor Esa Heikkila, left, will lead the Minnesota Orchestra in concerts Feb. 11 and 12. We were struck by his resemblance to his former teacher, MO music director Osmo Vanska, right.
Heikkila, 48, is chief conductor of the Joensuu City Orchestra in Finland. He was a professional violinist before turning to conducting, and he played violin with the Lahti Symphony under Vanska.
At Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Heikkilawill conduct music of Sibelius, Grieg and Mozart.
