| samedi 07 octobre 2023 | 20:00 |
| mardi 10 octobre 2023 | 20:00 |
| vendredi 13 octobre 2023 | 20:00 |
| mardi 17 octobre 2023 | 20:00 |
| jeudi 19 octobre 2023 | 20:00 |
| dimanche 22 octobre 2023 | 14:00 |
| Saariaho, Kaija (1952-2023) | Innocence (new production) |
| Dutch National Opera | ||
| Elena Schwarz | Direction | |
| Simon Stone | Mise en scène, Dramaturgie | |
| Chloe Lamford | Décors | |
| Mel Page | Costumes | |
| James Farncombe | Lumières | |
| Residentie Orkest The Hague | ||
| Chœur du Dutch National Opera | ||
| Jenny Carlstedt | Mezzo-soprano | Waitress |
| Markus Nykänen | Baryton | Groom |
| Thomas Oliemans | Baryton | Father-in-Law |
| Lenneke Ruiten | Soprano | Mother-in-Law |
| Lucy Shelton | Soprano | Teacher |
| Vilma Jää | Voix | Markéta (Student 1) (Student 1) |
| Frederik Bergman | Baryton | Priest |
| Lilian Farahani | Soprano | Bride |
| My Johansson | Soprano | Lilly (Student 2) (Student 2) |
| Julie Hega | Soprano | Iris (Student 3) |
| Camilo Delgado Diaz | Ténor | Jerónimo (Student 5) (Student 5) |
| Olga Heikkilä | Soprano | Alexia (Student 6) |
| Edward Ananian-Cooper | Chef de chœur |
The new opera Innocence recounts a topical tale of guilt, forgiveness and being haunted for life by traumatic events. Dutch National Opera presents the latest work by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, one of the most frequently performed contemporary composers in the world. The libretto is by compatriot and bestseller author Sofi Oksanen.
A mass shooting takes place at an international school. Ten years later, the shooter’s younger brother gets married and hopes to put this history behind him for good. However, the wedding turns into a confrontation with the past. Traumas that had been suppressed by all the individuals involved resurface, and the distinction between perpetrator and victim becomes increasingly blurred.
The world premiere of Innocence was in 2021 at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, where the opera was highly praised by critics. With the force of a psychological thriller, it shows the far-reaching effects of violence, while Kaija Saariaho’s music reverberates more than ever before with the sounds of raw realism.
The makers
The Australian theatre, film and opera director Simon Stone, who caused a stir in the Netherlands with his impressive theatrical productions at the Holland Festival and ITA (Flight 49, Medea and Ibsen House), will be making his debut at Dutch National Opera with his staging of Saariaho’s latest work. After Émilie (2010) and Only the Sound Remains (2016), Innocence is Saariaho’s third work to be performed by Dutch National Opera.
The Swiss-Australian conductor Elena Schwarz, an ardent advocate of new music, makes her DNO-debut with Innocence. Three audience favourites — Dutch singers Lilian Farahani, Lenneke Ruiten and Thomas Oliemans — will also be starring in this opera.
Composition commission and co-production by Dutch National Opera, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Royal Opera House (London), Finnish National Opera and Ballet (Helsinki) and San Francisco Opera
In collaboration with The Metropolitan Opera
