Join us for the Mannes Opera 2025/2026 Season Opener -- the fully staged chamber version of Kaija Saariaho’s extraordinary oratorio, La Passion de Simone, with a libretto by Amin Maalouf.

One of the 21st century’s most influential female composers, Saariaho created a work of profound contemporary relevance, engaging with themes of war, human suffering, and the philosophical contemplation of "good."

Her oratorio examines the life and work of radical French philosopher Simone Weil in 15 stations; an iteration of the Christian mediation on the 14 Stations of the Cross. Through the compelling figure of Weil, this work examines the impossibility—and the necessity—of contemplating the vast scope of human suffering with unflinching eyes. This piece will be realized in a fully staged production led by conductor Micah Gleason in partnership with Mannes Opera's Emma Griffin as director.

The fully staged chamber version of Kaija Saariaho’s extraordinary oratorio marks an important continuation of Mannes Opera’s close artistic relationship with the composer and her family. Saariaho spent a great deal of time at Mannes and The College of Performing Arts, as resident composer in 2018, when she taught lessons, gave master classes, and when the school first presented her La Passion de Simone, in partnership with the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Theatre du Chatelet (not a fully staged production, as it will be in October). La Passion de Simone was directed by Kaija’s son, Alexandre Barriere, and included a video installation by her husband, the composer Jean-Baptiste Barriere, who was also The New School’s composer in residence for three years. Their daughter, Aliisa Neige Barriere, studied violin and conducting at Mannes. It was a true family affair. Saariaho passed away on June 2, 2023. She remains a beloved figure at Mannes and in the greater musical landscape she so poignantly influenced.

Conductor - Micah Gleason
Director - Emma Griffin
Music Preparation - Cris Frisco

This production will be available for online On-Demand viewing following the live event. Stay tuned for dates and details.

MANNES OPERA

Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Emma Griffin (since 2018), Mannes Opera has become a vital program in the training and study of opera for the next generation of performers and makers. In both workshops and full productions, Griffin, her team, and their students have collaborated with and produced work by composers such as Mark Adamo, Ricky Ian Gordon, David T. Little, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Rachel Peters, Huang Ruo, Kamala Sankram, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Kate Soper and Greg Spears. Establishing the school as a new work incubator, Mannes Opera has partnered with industry leaders in the support of contemporary opera, bringing companies such as Wolf Trap Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, Opera Saratoga and others into collaborative projects with students and guest artists. This close engagement and collaboration with industry leaders is crucial to preparing students to thrive as impactful and empowered professionals.

Balancing the focus on contemporary work is a robust program of classical works in innovative productions — operas by composers such as Mozart, Puccini, Gluck, and Handel. By engaging with the rich tradition of classical repertoire, and by drawing on the best opera and theater makers that NYC has to offer, Mannes Opera trains students to be professional artists with a curiosity for the new, an understanding of the past, and a devotion to the multi-dimensional craft of opera.

Students at Mannes flourish in a one-of-a-kind creative community, with opportunities to collaborate across performance, design, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this vibrant and supportive environment, emerging artists are uniquely prepared to thrive as versatile, impactful and empowered creative professionals.

Presented by the College of Performing Arts at The New School.

Presented under license from G. Schirmer, Inc. o/b/o Chester Music Ltd., copyright owners.