The Australian Premiere of Innocence at the Adelaide Festival after its world premiere on 3 July 2021 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence. This follows sell-out seasons at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Finnish National Opera, London’s Royal Opera House, Dutch National Opera and San Francisco Opera. Innocence will then debut in New York at the Metropolitan Opera.
Innocence is by Kaija Saariaho. The Original Finnish Libretto is by Sofi Oksanen and Multilingual Libretto by Aleksi Barrière. The Adelaide season is conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs and directed by Simon Stone. It features the Adelaide Chamber Singers and the State Opera Chorus.
A wedding party is seen celebrating, while students and a teacher provide recounts of their experience following a terrifying school shooting incident. It is a gripping exploration of guilt, family secrets, and the consequences of implication.
From the very first moments, Innocence captivates the audience with a striking and modern score. A four-note motif on the piano, enveloped by eerie, swelling drones and punctuated by delicate sprinkles around the orchestra, sets the tone for the entire production. The score is sophisticated yet carries a childlike curiosity, reflecting the inquisitive and introspective nature of the libretto itself. As the curtains rise to a wash of cymbals.
This contemporary opera is avant-garde in many aspects: its story, its score, and its narrative style. The libretto is performed in the native tongues of each character, starting in German. While the opera’s themes delve into the darkness of human nature, particularly bullying, trauma, and family dynamics, it also invites consideration of the humanistic nature that shows that contribute you to and follow a traumatic event.
The set design is nothing short of spectacular. The minimalist yet ingenious use of a rotating cube provides a dynamic stage for various locations—a school, a wedding reception, a closet—all of which transform seamlessly. The visual shifts, reminiscent of an illusion, are reminiscent of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, where perspectives change fluidly, minimicing the perspectives of the characters.
The storytelling technique in Innocence is as subtle as it is compelling. What begins as a collection of seemingly unrelated stories gradually unravels, like fog being lifted from a window, revealing the complex relationships between the characters. The opera, at its heart, is a thriller. As the narrative unfolds, we’re transported back in time to a school shooting, revealed through the shifting of the turning set anticlockwise and through the characters’ haunting interactions. The teacher at the center of the event narrates the tragedy, and the characters are revealed as memories, no longer part of this world.
As the opera delves deeper into the aftermath of this tragedy, the audience witnesses how time seems to stand still for those directly affected by the shooting, while others appear to move on. However, the discovery of a family secret at a wedding highlights how profoundly intertwined everyone’s lives are, and how trauma continues to ripple through time.
The opera doesn’t shy away from disturbing imagery, and at times, it borders on the macabre. Some scenes include tasteful horror, such as blood, which may be unsettling for sensitive viewers. However, the impact of these moments adds to the emotional intensity and moral depth of the opera.
The music is a powerful force throughout the performance. Dramatic, ethereal, and haunting, the score creates an atmosphere that amplifies the tension and mystery. The voices are magnificent, with particular praise for the captivating operatic voice entwined with Finnish folk singing of Markéta.
Innocence is a modern opera that offers much more than just a performance—it is a profound exploration of trauma, guilt, and the human condition. It challenges moral and ethical perceptions, forcing audiences to confront the aftermath of violence, silence, and loss. Even for those who are not regular opera-goers, the compelling narrative, stunning set design, and enthralling music make Innocence a must-see. With its complex storytelling, emotive score, and immersive experience, Innocence will leave a lasting impression on all who have the opportunity to see it.
No Comments