“What matters most is that this impressive work has finally come to New York… The bass-baritone Eric Owens, in one of his finest Met roles, makes an achingly vulnerable Jaufré… The mezzo-soprano Tamara Mumford brings mellow sound and calm dignity to the role of the pilgrim… The soprano Susanna Phillips looks and sounds radiant as Clémence… The production in lucky to have the impressive Ms. Mälkki conducting.”
- The New York Times.

One of the most highly praised operas of recent years, which had its premiere at the Salzburg Festival in 2000, Kaija Saariaho’s yearning medieval romance L’Amour de Loin (“Love From Afar”), has its Met premiere this season. The production is by Robert Lepage, co-produced with L’Opéra de Québec, where it premiered to acclaim last summer, in collaboration with Ex Machina. Debuting Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki leads the performance, which stars Susanna Phillips as Clémence, Eric Owens as Jaufré, and Tamara Mumford as the Pilgrim who carries messages of love between them.

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Eric Owens as Jaufré and Susanna Phillips as Clˆémence in Kaija Saariaho’s “L’Amour de Loin.” Credit Kristian Schuller/Metropolitan Opera