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Ms. Paasikivi is a fascinating singer with a multifaceted color palette and a laser-sharp delivery that accords primacy to the text.

And next January, Mr. Gilbert will lead the Verdi Requiem, featuring the soprano Angela Meade in her Philharmonic debut and starring Lilli Paasikivi, a mezzo-soprano; Brandon Jovanovich, a tenor; and Eric Owens, the bass-baritone, as well as the New York Choral Artists, directed by Joseph Flummerfelt.

Lilli Paasikivi was the breathtaking mezzo, beautiful in tone and infinitely noble of utterance.

According to some reports last week, the Finnish Cabinet of re-elected President Risto Ryti was due for a shakeup, perhaps installing Juho Paasikivi, who negotiated the brief peace with Russia in 1940.

When the Finns sent old Juho Kusti Paasikivi to Stockholm to ask the price of peace, a little old lady of 71, skilled in muting the harsh truths of power politics, gave him the Russian terms.*