Bachtrack logo

Work: Innocence

Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance listings
Fact file
ComposerSaariaho, Kaija (1952-2023)
PeriodModern
LibrettistAleksi Barrière, Sofi Oksanen
Year2018
Work typeOpera / Oratorio
Upcoming eventsSee more...

New York CityInnocenceNew production

Loading image...
Saariaho: Innocence
Susanna Mälkki; Simon Stone; Metropolitan Opera; Chloe Lamford; Mel Page; James Farncombe; The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Latest reviewsSee more...

Innocence: Saariaho’s final opera receives New York premiere

Loading image...
At the Metropolitan Opera, Innocence proves a gripping and perhaps divisive piece which feels real because it is a reflection of our reality, with no realistic hope of finding peace. 
*****
Read more

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Loading image...
Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset. 

Urgent and intense: Innocence opens at the Royal Opera House

Loading image...
Kaija Saariaho's opera – staged by Simon Stone and the hit of the 2021 Aix-en-Provence Festival – makes its UK debut.
****1
Read more
Latest articles

Birgit Nilsson Prize awarded to Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

Loading image...
Classical music’s most lucrative award, of $1 million, has been given to the prestigious French summer opera festival, in particular recognition of Kaija Saariaho’s opera Innocence.

Trauma and polyphony: Saariaho’s Innocence comes to Amsterdam

Loading image...
Dramatising the aftermath of a mass shooting in Finland, Innocence explores violence, trauma and collective responsibility. Co-librettist Aleksi Barrière speaks about one of Kaija Saariaho’s last major works.

Les Variations de Clara : les compositrices et l'opéra

Loading image...
Les compositrices seraient-elles indésirables dans les institutions lyriques ? On pourrait le croire, tant elles y sont rarement programmées... Clara Leonardi apporte quelques explications historiques.