The Helsinki Early Music Week 

was created to promote the performances of music composed in the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods on period instruments. The event will be organized for the first time in October 2005. On the programme this year will be both Finnish and international renowned performers and ensembles.

The 2005 festival consists of a series of five concerts focusing especially on French orchestral and harpsichord music. The special guest for the year is the American virtuoso harpsichordist and conductor Skip Sempé, who will make two appearances: a harpsichord recital and as conductor of the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra. Other ensembles and soloists appearing at the festival include the Baroque ensemble Astraali with the Australian-born Anna Starr as its first oboe, soprano Tuuli Lindeberg, the viola da gamba ensemble Spirit of Gambo and the Hakkila-Helasvuo flute and fortepiano duo.