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Emilie: Opera by Kaija Saariaho. Het Muziektheater, 18, 21 March 2010, Amsterdam
Emilie is the third opera written by the Finnish coposer Kaija Saariaho. Born in 1952 in Helsinki, Saariaho has been living and working in Paris since 1982; she is rated among the top contemporary intellectual composers. Some thrity years ago, the composer started her sound experiments at the famous IRCAM acoustic laboratory in Paris.Today, Kaija Saariaho writes chamber music, operas and symphonic pieces rich in mythological, historical, literary and cinematic references. The world premiere of the Emilie opera is taking place on March 1 at Opéra de Lyon. It is a musical mono drama for a solo singer, written especially for the brilliant Finnish soprano Karita Mattila who has triumphed on all of the most important opera stages worldwide. The opera is set in 1749; it is the story of the great French scientist - mathematician, physicist and astronomer - Emilie du Châtelet who also happened to be Voltaire's lover. The composer has spoken of her protracted search for an interesting and powerful character that would suit the talent of Karita Mattila, not wanting to write for her another opera about a woman who is essentially an object dying of love - even though the storyline sees Emilie die by the end of the opera.
Waterlooplein 22
1011 PG Amsterdam, Netherlands
Keywords: Amsterdam, opera
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