Canadian Opera Company: February 2012

The COC Presents Love From Afar

The Production

This February, the Canadian Opera Company presents the Canadian premiere of acclaimed Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s Love from Afar (L’amour de loin), a haunting and vivid musical creation that has become one of the most performed and successful operas composed of this century.

Since the opera’s premiere in 2000 at the Salzburg Festival, Love from Afar has captivated audiences worldwide with performances at Théâtre du Châtelet, Sante Fe Opera, Stadttheater Bern, Finnish National Opera, the Bergen International Festival, English National Opera and Vlaamse Opera. Arguably the greatest opera of the 21st century, it has been praised as a “haunting and resonant work, transfixing and utterly distinguished” b the New York Times.

About the cast and creative team: 

- Daniele Finzi-Pasca, best known for his work with Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo and the creation of the closing ceremonies of the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino in 2006, directs the production
- internationally renowned lyric baritone Russell Braun (last seen here as Oreste in Iphigenia in Tauris) sings the role of Jaufré Rudel
- Erin Wall, soprano, makes her COC debut in the role of Clémence
- Mezzo-Soprano and Ensemble Studio graduate Krisztina Szabó (last seen here as Idamante in Idomeneo) sings therole of thePilgrim

Johannes Debus leads the COC Orchestra and Chorus through Saariaho’s lushly orchestrated score. The composer has created a rich tapestry of sound using innovative combinations of traditional instrumental sections with electronics. Among the more unusual instruments usedin 'Love from Afar’s' orchestration are an o-daiko (a Japanese taiko drum), glass and shell chimes, and a synthesizer to trigger electronic soundscape effects.

Love from Afar runs for eight performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on Feb. 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 22, 2012.
Sung in French with English Surtitles.

Videos

All Videos are from the English National Opera's 2009 Production of 'Lamour de loin' (Love From Afar)
This is the Prodction being staged by the COC in February of 2012

English National Opera - L'amour de Loin: - About the Production

English National Opera - L'Amour de Loin - Part One - Make Dreaming

English National Opera - L'amour de Loin - Part Two - Longing

Director Daniel Finzi Pasca on L'Amour de Loin

Random Thoughts

What I've seen online suggests this may be the Canadian Opera Company's most visually stunning production of the season. If the videos are an indicator there's also a promise to make use of some spectacular effects. The music in the samples that are online is haunting and has a strong sense of otherworldliness. The sets support this with their surreal aspect. With the use of vivid colours that permeates the entire staging the intent seems to be to place the story in what will appear as a larger than life dreamscape.

As I learn more I'll post it.

A Video from the Viaamese Production of L'amour de Loin 2010

The Making of L'Amour de Loin