TARJA TURUNEN's profile as singer for operatic Metal band NIGHTWISH rose significantly on the international scene during 2004 with the success of the 'Once' album. Pre-NIGHTWISH, the teenage Turunen had studied classical singing at the Sibelius Academy of Kuopio. The soprano vocalist, full name Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli, took time out to record a traditional set of Finnish Christmas tunes at Finnvox Studios with producer Esa Nieminen as her first single release 'Yhden Enkelin Unelma' ("One Angel's Dream"). The NIGHTWISH dominance in December would be demonstrated on the national Finnish charts as the following week after the band's 'Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan's success by debuting at number 1 TARJA TURUNEN's inaugural solo effort entered the Finnish single chart at position number 2, jumping to the top spot the following week as it gained a gold sales award.

She would cut a further single, 'Leaving You For Me', in collaboration with German 'Search for a star' winner Martin Kesici for January 2005 release. That October fan club members would be treated to an exclusive live album, recorded in Buenos Aires at the April 2004 Concert of Noche Escandinava II where she featured alongside fellow soprano Marjut Paavilainen, baritone Juha Koskela and pianist Izumi Kawakatzu.

In September Turunen recorded 'Tired Of Being Alone' with SCHILLER mentor Christopher von Deylen, guesting alongside MIKE OLDFIELD and Moya Brennan of  CLANNAD.

Immediately after NIGHTWISH's final show of 2005, at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, fans would be stunned to read an "open letter" on the official band site effectively sacking TARJA TURUNEN. Penned by keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen, the group's principal songwriter, the statement would be harshly critical, announcing "To you, unfortunately, business, money and things that have nothing to do with those emotions have become much more important. You feel that you have sacrificed yourself and your musical career for NIGHTWISH, rather than thinking what it has given to you. You have said yourself that you are merely a 'guest musician' in NIGHTWISH. Now that visit ends and we will continue NIGHTWISH with a new female vocalist." Further accusations blamed Turunen for a "Diva" like attitude and for having apparently threatened to leave the band "at a day's notice". Subsequently, Holopainen revealed that the personal problems were entrenched to such a degree that he and Turunen "have not spoken with each other for many years". The singer responded, saying simply that she was "devastated" and adding "It has been very cruel the way the band handled this in public."

In April 2006 the singer revealed she had signed to Universal Music for her debut album, the Christmas themed 'Henkäys Ikuisuudesta' (Breath From Heaven). A single, 'You Would Have Loved This' written by Cori Connors, preceded the album in October. Notably the singles tracks, 'You Would Have Loved This and "Walking In The Air', were different to the album versions. 'Henkäys Ikuisuudesta' entered the Finnish charts at number 7 before rising the following week to 3. In mid December 'Henkäys Ikuisuudesta' was certified platinum status in Finland for sales in excess of 30,000 copies.

The singer's December 12th concert in Lahti was televised for national audience, with an estimated 1 in 3 of the entire Finnish population tuning in to watch.

In early 2007 Tarja Turunen recorded a vocal for the song 'In The Picture', included on the Nuclear Blast 20th anniversary compilation album 'Into The Light' arranged and composed by RAGE guitarist VICTOR SMOLSKI. In April Tarja revealed her next album was to be called 'My Winter Storm'.

Tarja conducted two European tours and a run of dates in South America. Her live band featured Mike Terrana, previously with RAGE, on drums, Maria Ilmoniemi on keyboards and Max Lilja, ex-APOCALYPTICA, on cello. Alex Scholpp, of FARMER BOYS, provided guitar on the European shows whilst Kiko Loureiro took over six-string duties for South America. Further European live dates in 2008 saw Doug Wimbish replaced by Oliver Holzwarth from BLIND GUARDIAN.

A fresh round of US dates commenced on 29th April 2009 at The Fillmore, Irving Plaza in New York. Tarja co-headlined the 'Metal Female Voices Fest VII' on 18th October 2009 at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium. Tarja Turunen embarked on a Christmas tour of Finland with renowned Finnish musicians Kalevi Kiviniemi, Marzi Nyman and Markku Krohn performing in churches in Lappeenranta, Joensuu, Tampere, Haapajärvi and Seinäjoki and at the Sibelius Hall in Lahti.

Garry Sharpe-Young