Innocence

Innocence description

“A thriller that is also a meditation, Innocence is the most powerful work Saariaho has written.” New York Times

Innocence comes to Adelaide Festival for its highly anticipated Australian Premiere following sell-out seasons at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Finnish National Opera, London’s Royal Opera House, Dutch National Opera and San Francisco Opera, and directly before its New York debut at the Metropolitan Opera.

In modern-day Finland, a joyous wedding celebration takes a shocking turn when the darkest of secrets is revealed and a young bride faces an impossible decision.

Acclaimed as a “masterpiece” by the New York Times, Innocence draws us into the complex emotional journey shared by a community of students, teachers and families recovering from an inconceivable tragedy. Loyalties are tested and ghosts confronted in a powerful and enthralling story of innocence and guilt, destruction and salvation.

This is Kaija Saariaho’s final opera and one of the most important operas written this century. Her extraordinary score, rich in translucent textures, is reinforced by a multi-layered Finnish libretto by novelist Sofi Oksanen and a multilingual libretto by Aleksi Barrière. World-renowned Australian director Simon Stone’s thrilling, cinematic production balances tragedy and hope. Clement Mao-Takacs conducts a fine international cast, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Chamber Singers and State Opera Chorus.

An unmissable event and a new page in the history of opera.

“Innocence will be talked about as one of the great operas of the 21st century. It is urgent, powerful and brilliant.” - Neil Armfield AO

★ ★ ★ ★ ★  Part Scandi-noir thriller, part Ancient Greek drama… [Innocence is] raw, uncompromising and utterly gripping

Limelight

★ ★ ★ ★ ★  Stunning. Simply brilliant and unlike anything else I had ever experienced … Anyone who watches it will be changed by the experience

Daily Express UK

Interview with Director Simon Stone

Event additional information

Credits

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Presented by Adelaide Festival in association with State Opera South Australia.

A co-commission and co-production of Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, San Francisco Opera, Dutch National Opera Amsterdam, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden London, Finnish National Opera and Ballet Helsinki. In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera.

World premiere on 3 July 2021 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence. The world premiere in Aix-en-Provence was made possible thanks to the support of Karolina Blaberg.

The Adelaide Festival presentation of Innocence has been made possible by the Adelaide Festival Chairman’s Circle, the Adelaide Festival Opera Donor Circle and Foundation Adelaide Festival.

Image Tristram Kenton

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