Aulis Sallinen: King Lear - DVD

UPC 761195040102

Product Features

• Composer: Aulis Sallinen
• Opera: King Lear (Opera in Two Acts, Op. 76)
• Libretto: Written by Aulis Sallinen, based on William Shakespeare’s King Lear
• Performers:Orchestra: Finnish National Opera Orchestra
  • King Lear: Matti Salminen
  • Cordelia: Lilli Paasikivi
  • Goneril: Taina Piira
  • Regan: Satu Vihavainen
  • Albany: Petri Lindroos
  • Cornwall: Kai Pitkänen
  • Gloucester: Jorma Hynninen
  • The Fool: Sauli Tiilikainen
  • Edgar: Jorma Silvasti
  • Edmund: Aki Alamikkotervo
  • France: Hannu Forsberg
• Conductor: Okko Kamu
• Chorus: Finnish National Opera Chorus
• Stage Director: Kari Heiskanen
• Set and Costume Designer: Markku Hakuri
• Lighting Designer: Olli-Pekka Koivunen
• Sound Designer: Petteri Laukkanen
• Directed for DVD by: Aarno Cronvall
• Recording Venue: Finnish National Opera, recorded live in August 2002
• Publisher: Ondine
• Release Year: 2015

Overview

Aulis Sallinen’s "King Lear", based on Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, is a compelling and emotional opera, masterfully performed by the Finnish National Opera. In this 2002 live recording, legendary Finnish bass Matti Salminen portrays the title role of King Lear, bringing gravitas and profound emotional depth to this tragic character.

Sallinen’s music, set to his own libretto, explores the themes of power, betrayal, madness, and family through a contemporary lens. The stark yet evocative production by Kari Heiskanen, combined with the minimalist set and costumes designed by Markku Hakuri, enhances the emotional complexity of the opera.

Conductor Okko Kamu leads the Finnish National Opera Orchestra, delivering a powerful interpretation of Sallinen’s modern yet accessible score. With a stellar cast including Lilli Paasikivi as Cordelia, Jorma Hynninen as Gloucester, and Jorma Silvasti as Edgar, this production captures the intensity and pathos of Shakespeare’s drama.

Interesting Facts

• Aulis Sallinen is one of Finland’s most prominent contemporary composers, and his operatic adaptation of King Lear (Op. 76) premiered in 2000.
• Matti Salminen, who plays King Lear, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basses in the world, renowned for his interpretations of Wagner, Verdi, and modern operatic roles.
• The production’s minimalist set and costume design by Markku Hakuri reflect the opera's exploration of human frailty and the stark realities of life, echoing the opera's emotional landscape.
• Okko Kamu, one of Finland’s leading conductors, brings precision and emotional depth to Sallinen’s complex score, seamlessly blending the modern and classical elements of the music.
• The opera is sung in Finnish, with subtitles available in both English and Finnish, making it accessible to a broad audience.

Track Listing

1. Act I: King Lear’s division of his kingdom, leading to betrayal and tragedy.
2. Act II: The unraveling of Lear’s mind and the devastating consequences of his actions.

Publishers

• Ondine
• Co-produced with Arzon Productions and The Finnish National Opera

Hashtags

#KingLearOpera #AulisSallinen #MattiSalminen #FinnishNationalOpera #ShakespeareOpera #OkkoKamu #ModernOpera #OperaDVD #ContemporaryClassicalMusic #FinnishOpera