Page 327 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained
P. 327
CONTEMPORARY 325
MY MUSIC
IS WRITTEN
FOR EARS
L’AMOUR DE LOIN (2000), KAIJA SAARIAHO
innish composer Kaija
IN CONTEXT Saariaho’s opera, L’Amour
F de loin (2000), was one of
FOCUS the first new operas of the 21st
Opera into the 21st century
century. The lavish production,
BEFORE premiered at the Salzburg Festival,
1992 Peter Sellars stages Austria, renewed excitement in the
Olivier Messiaen’s opera genre of grand opera involving large
Saint François d’Assise, in casts and orchestras; in the late
Salzburg, Austria; Saariaho 20th century, inexpensive chamber
finds it inspiring. operas had been more popular.
AFTER Love from afar
2003 The opera Rasputin by Written to a French libretto by
Finnish composer Einojuhani Amin Maalouf, L’Amour de loin is Kaija Saariaho works on a score in
Rautavaara receives its world based on a sketch of Jaufré Rudel, Paris, France, her home since 1982,
premiere in Helsinki. a 12th-century French troubadour, when she first studied at IRCAM, the
and his love for Clémence, a woman acoustic music research institute that
2008 The Minotaur by he has idealized from a distance— strongly influenced her early style.
Harrison Birtwistle to a libretto hence the title, meaning “love
by poet David Harsent is from afar.” The small solo cast is Since then, it has become one of
premiered at the Royal Opera complemented by a chorus and the most frequently performed
House in London. sizeable orchestra that features operas in the 21st century, with
accessible, consonant harmony, productions in Paris, London,
2015 Jennifer Higdon’s with electronic elements and New York, and Toronto.
grand opera, Cold Mountain, attention to tone color—all The success of L’Amour de loin
premieres in Santa Fe, New hallmarks of Saariaho’s style. led to renewed interest in grand
Mexico, United States. Following the opera’s world opera and further commissions.
premiere at the Salzburg Festival in Saariaho’s second grand opera,
Austria, critics praised its lyricism. Adriana Mater, followed in 2005. ■
See also: Peer Gynt 208–209 ■ The Wreckers 232–239 ■ Peter Grimes 288–293 ■
Einstein on the Beach 321–322
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