Wise Music Group is delighted that Innocence by Kaija Saariaho has been shortlisted in two categories for the 2024 RPS awards. The late composer's devastating opera is recognised in the Large-Scale Composition field as well as in the Opera and Music Theatre category for its UK premiere at The Royal Opera House.
Innocence explores the legacy of a violent shooting at a school and the tragedy’s reverberations across the years. It deals with the wounds of the past, the passing of time, and the act of letting go. The original libretto was written by Sofi Oksanen with a multilingual libretto by Aleksi Barrière.
Premiered at Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in July 2021 and given its UK premiere in April 2023 just weeks before the iconic Finnish composer's passing, Innocence was the final opera of a prolific career spanning five decades.
Video of the premiere of Innocence at Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in 2021
The Large-Scale Composition Award this year is supported by the Boltini Trust who we'd like to thank for their support of the nomination and awards.
We look forward to the RPS awards ceremony on March 5 which will shine a light on brilliant musical individuals, groups and initiatives inspiring communities across the UK and feature performances from some of this year’s nominees.
Find out more about the awards here.
