Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s breakthrough opera was described by the New York Times as “transfixing…a lushly beautiful score.” Commissioned by the Salzburg Festival, where it was first seen in 2000, it will now finally have its Metropolitan Opera premiere in a dazzling new production by Robert Lepage, featuring glimmering ribbons of LED lights that extend across the length of the stage and over the orchestra pit. Eric Owens is the knight on a quest of love and Susanna Phillips is his lover on the other side of the sea. Conductor Susanna Mälkki makes her Met debut.
In 12th century Aquitaine, Jaufre, Prince of Blayre and part time troubadour dreams of an unreachable love. Obsessed with the possibility of a far away soulmate, somewhere in the world, he broods and idealizes, much to the mirth of his friends who waste no time mocking the poet Prince. But one day his dreaming pays off, a traveling Pilgrim asserts that they know just the woman to fulfill his longing, Clemence, a young woman who lives across the sea in Tripoli. Finally justified, Jaufre wishes to meet her, at any cost. Once the Pilgrim has played matchmaker, he sets off on a dangerous journey that will take him over the ocean to finally be in her arms.
Running time: 3 hours | 1 Intermission
Ticket Price $25 | Members & Seniors $20 | Students $15
Ridgefield Library card holders receive member prices for this show.
AAA members receive a 20% discount!
FREE tickets for students 18 & under! Must show ID at the box office.