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A big week for Finnish music and musicians led by Kaija Saariaho’s powerful opera about a school shooting, and a thrilling Bartok performance
Towards the end of this new opera by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, I forced my attention off the stage to survey the audience. I doubt that I have ever seen in the Royal Opera House, or any other theatre for that matter, such stillness or felt such quiet concentration.
Innocence, an ROH opera about a school shooting, is a harrowing achievement, but an achievement nonetheless.
Director Simon Stone does it again, but questions remain about Kaija Saariaho’s score. Opera review by David Nice