Endlessness

Lauri Mäntysaari – Henriikka Tavi

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The contemporary chamber opera Endlessness arrests, bewilders, and draws the listener into the human desire to believe in conspiracy theories and to immerse oneself in them so deeply that one's own judgment and reason begin to blur. It speaks of climate change, yet insists that there is no climate change.

Composer Lauri Mäntysaari and librettist Henriikka Tavi's collaboration challenges the conventions of stage performance by adopting the format of an enthusiastic TED Talk-style lecture that occasionally wanders into the realm of absurd storytelling. On stage, soprano Tuuli Lindeberg's character tries to debunk climate change, presents a new world order, and ultimately embarks on a path utterly beyond reason – but does she ultimately experience an awakening?

Performing alongside Lindeberg are clarinetist Hanna Hujanen and pianist Elisa Järvi, who plays a specially developed instrument, a quarter-tone piano. Just as the mind of a conspiracy theorist wanders onto unbounded paths, the sound world of Endlessness falls between the notes and into strange landscapes. The captivating sonic world cannot be described; it must be experienced.

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Crew

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Composition by Lauri Mäntysaari
Libretto by Henriikka Tavi
Direction and set design by Laura Humppila
Projections by Thomas Freundlich

Production by Ooppera Skaala

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Cast
 

Soprano Tuuli Lindeberg
Hanna Hujanen, clarinet
Elisa Järvi, quarter-tone piano
Libero Mureddu, live electronics