(PC: JP Maurin) Émilie is a 75-minute, nine-scene opera by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho which takes its plot from the historical figure Marquise Émilie du Châtelet (1706-1749), polyglot and mistress to famous French philosopher François-Marie Arouet (or Voltaire). The work, while its own opera, is to be considered related to Saariaho’s 2006 oratorio La Passion de Simone. The work {…}
The USC Thornton School of Music has unveiled its Spring 2023 Live Event lineup, featuring a wide array of musical genres, including jazz, pop, and opera. For this article, we have highlighted vocal performances only. The USC Thornton Edge will showcase new works for large ensemble in February, featuring Kaija Saariaho’s “Quatre Instants” for orchestra and solo soprano. Initially composed {…}
(Credit: Priska Ketterer) The Palau de la Música Catalana has canceled the presentation of “Only the Sounds Remains” by Kaija Saariaho. The performance, which is set to be held on Oct. 14 was set to be directed by Aleksis Barrière and star countertenor Michał Sławecki and baritone Bryan Murray as well as El Cuarteto vocal del Cor de Cambra del {…}
(Credit: Christophe Abramowitz) The Gulbenkian Orchestra is set to present a concert entitled “Composing for Voices and Orchestra” at the Grand Auditorium in Lisbon. The showcase, which is scheduled for July 15, 2022, is the culmination of the enoa workshop tutored by composer Kaija Saariaho during which composers were given the opportunity of creating works for voice and orchestra. The {…}
(Photo: Mary Em) Kaija Saariaho’s new opera “Innocence” premiered at this summer’s Festival d’Aix-En-Provence to widespread acclaim. “Innocence” is about a school shooting in an International school. In the role of Markéta, one of the shooter’s victims was the young Finnish singer Vilma Jää, who found herself receiving enthusiastic applause for her extraordinary performances. Jää is a marvelous singer with {…}
(Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez) Postponed from last year, owing to COVID restrictions, Kaija Saariaho’s new opera “Innocence” finally received its world premiere at this year’s Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, and it did not disappoint. The libretto, written by Sofi Oksanen, interweaves two narratives which relate to a school shooting. One focuses on the students and their teacher who were present at the time {…}
Photo credit: Toni Härkönen Festival Aix-en-Provence is set to live stream Kaija Saariaho and Sofi Oksanen’s new opera, “Innocence,” on July 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm EDT on Arte Concert. The opera had its in-person world premiere at the Festival on July 3. Directed by Simon Stone, Saariaho and Oksanen’s opera presents the story of a fictional school shooting in {…}
(Credit: Vanessa Francia) The Venice Music Biennale has announced its 2021 program, which is set to take place between Sept. 17-26. Among the major highlights of the festival will be the honoring of composer Kaija Saariaho with the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award as well as 15 world premieres. Here is a rundown of the festival. It all kicks off {…}
Venice Music Biennale’s new Artistic Director, Lucia Ronchetti, has selected composer Kaija Saariaho as the winner of the Golden Lion (Leone d’oro). Ronchetti chose Saariaho for her breadth of work for voice, vocal ensemble, choir, and the originality of her vocal compositions. Her piece “Oltra mar” (“Across the sea”), composed in 1999 and written for choir and orchestra, is considered {…}
Kaija Saariaho is one of the most renowned classical music composers of today. The Helsinki native has had her music performed all over the world at such major organizations as Lincoln Center, the Salzburg Festival, the Théâtre de Châtelet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Philharmonic among many others. She is a Grammy Award winner and was crowned as {…}
Credit: Emelie-Kroon/Timo-Mokkila The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring the continuation of the New Ring Cycle. Operas (in Alphabetical Order) The Finnish Opera will showcase a production of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci“ directed by Damiano Michieletto. “Cavalleria” is heading by Niina Keitel, Eduardo Aladren, Ángel Ódena, and Merle Silmato while “Pagliacci” stars Marjukka Tepponen, Mika Pohjonen, and {…}