Upshaw Gives US Premiere of Saariaho's "La Passion de Simone" at Lincoln Center

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Dawn Upshaw begins a three-show run of performances at Lincoln Center of the US premiere of composer Kaija Saariaho's La Passion de Simone, an oratorio written for Upshaw based on the life of French French philosopher Simone Weil. The production, directed by Peter Sellars, is part of the Mostly Mozart Festival and includes Mostly Mozart debuts for the composer, dancer Michael Schumacher, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the London Voices vocal ensemble. The Independent (UK) calls the work a “magical union of words, music, and theater.”

Copy

Dawn Upshaw begins a three-show run of performances at Lincoln Center of the US premiere of composer Kaija Saariaho's La Passion de Simone, an oratorio written for Upshaw based on the life of French French philosopher Simone Weil. The production, directed by Peter Sellars, will take place at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater in Columbus Circle as part of the summer's Mostly Mozart Festival and includes the composer's Mostly Mozart debut, as well as that of dancer Michael Schumacher, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the London Voices vocal ensemble. The Independent (UK) calls the work a “magical union of words, music, and theater.” Additional performances will be held Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Pre-concert discussions will Kaija Saariaho and Ara Guzelimian, dean of The Juilliard School, will be held prior to the two evening performances. For more information, visit lincolncenter.org.

Saariaho, this summer's Mostly Mozart composer-in-residence, discusses her work and career with the New York Times's Steve Smith. She explains the fears she felt early on as an aspiring composer against the daunting precedent set by Mozart, and her later reluctance to write for the opera, which lessened after she saw Sellars's 1989 production of Don Giovanni. Read the article at nytimes.com.

Also, Philadelphia Inquirer Classical Music Critic David Patrick Stearns offers a "primer" on Saariaho's works, including La Passion de Simone, in a run-up to tonight's opening. You'll find it at philly.com.

featuredimage
Dawn Upshaw by Michael Wilson
  • Wednesday, August 13, 2008
    Upshaw Gives US Premiere of Saariaho's "La Passion de Simone" at Lincoln Center
    Michael Wilson

    Dawn Upshaw begins a three-show run of performances at Lincoln Center of the US premiere of composer Kaija Saariaho's La Passion de Simone, an oratorio written for Upshaw based on the life of French French philosopher Simone Weil. The production, directed by Peter Sellars, will take place at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater in Columbus Circle as part of the summer's Mostly Mozart Festival and includes the composer's Mostly Mozart debut, as well as that of dancer Michael Schumacher, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the London Voices vocal ensemble. The Independent (UK) calls the work a “magical union of words, music, and theater.” Additional performances will be held Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Pre-concert discussions will Kaija Saariaho and Ara Guzelimian, dean of The Juilliard School, will be held prior to the two evening performances. For more information, visit lincolncenter.org.

    Saariaho, this summer's Mostly Mozart composer-in-residence, discusses her work and career with the New York Times's Steve Smith. She explains the fears she felt early on as an aspiring composer against the daunting precedent set by Mozart, and her later reluctance to write for the opera, which lessened after she saw Sellars's 1989 production of Don Giovanni. Read the article at nytimes.com.

    Also, Philadelphia Inquirer Classical Music Critic David Patrick Stearns offers a "primer" on Saariaho's works, including La Passion de Simone, in a run-up to tonight's opening. You'll find it at philly.com.

    Journal Articles:On Tour

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025
    Tuesday, March 4, 2025

    Guitarist and composer Yasmin Williams, who continues her own headline tour later this month, will join St. Paul and the Broken Bones and The Wood Brothers as their special guest on six dates in the US Midwest in July. The shows start at Rock the Ruins in Indianapolis on July 10 and include stops in Cleveland, Interlochen, Fort Wayne, St. Louis, and Kansas City. General on-sale begins this Friday. 

    Journal Topics: Artist NewsOn Tour
  • Friday, February 28, 2025
    Friday, February 28, 2025

    Mary Halvorson and her new quartet are in NYC. Timo Andres performs in DC with Aaron Diehl. Julia Bullock joins Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Rhiannon Giddens is at Blue Note Tokyo. Emmylou Harris cruises on Cayamo. Hurray for the Riff Raff tours Texas and Baton Rouge with Bright Eyes. Nathalie Joachim brings Ki moun ou ye to Carlsbad, CA, and Beaverton, OR, where Steve Reich's Different Trains is performed.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events