325
See also: Peer Gynt 208–209 ■ The Wreckers 232–239 ■ Peter Grimes 288–293 ■
Einstein on the Beach 321–322F
innish composer Kaija
Saariaho’s opera, L’A m o u r
de loin (2000), was one of
the first new operas of the 21st
century. The lavish production,
premiered at the Salzburg Festival,
Austria, renewed excitement in the
genre of grand opera involving large
casts and orchestras; in the late
20th century, inexpensive chamber
operas had been more popular.Love from afar
Written to a French libretto by
Amin Maalouf, L’Amour de loin is
based on a sketch of Jaufré Rudel,
a 12th-century French troubadour,
and his love for Clémence, a woman
he has idealized from a distance—
hence the title, meaning “love
from afar.” The small solo cast is
complemented by a chorus and
sizeable orchestra that features
accessible, consonant harmony,
with electronic elements and
attention to tone color—all
hallmarks of Saariaho’s style.
Following the opera’s world
premiere at the Salzburg Festival in
Austria, critics praised its lyricism.Since then, it has become one of
the most frequently performed
operas in the 21st century, with
productions in Paris, London,
New York, and Toronto.
The success of L’Amour de loin
led to renewed interest in grand
opera and further commissions.
Saariaho’s second grand opera,
Adriana Mater, followed in 2005. ■CONTEMPORARY
MY MUSIC
IS WRITTEN
FOR EARS
L’AMOUR DE LOIN ( 2000 ), KAIJA SAARIAHO
IN CONTEXT
FOCUS
Opera into the 21st centuryBEFORE
1992 Peter Sellars stages
Olivier Messiaen’s opera
Saint François d’Assise, in
Salzburg, Austria; Saariaho
finds it inspiring.AFTER
2003 The opera Rasputin by
Finnish composer Einojuhani
Rautavaara receives its world
premiere in Helsinki.2008 The Minotaur by
Harrison Birtwistle to a libretto
by poet David Harsent is
premiered at the Royal Opera
House in London.2015 Jennifer Higdon’s
grand opera, Cold Mountain,
premieres in Santa Fe, New
Mexico, United States.Kaija Saariaho works on a score in
Paris, France, her home since 1982,
when she first studied at IRCAM, the
acoustic music research institute that
strongly influenced her early style.US_324-325_Ligeti_Saariaho.indd 325 26/03/18 1:02 PM