margaritifera, margaritifera
short opera demo, for baritone, mezzosoprano, SATB and ensemble (2025)
Synopsis
River flows through the pearl forest, where clams produce jewels and sing in eternal peace. Their idyll is disturbed by a forester, coming from the city, longing to take their beauty back to his lover. A biologist with emotional ties to clam’s ecosystem tries to prevent irreversible damage taking place. Horror unfolds as the forester takes the riches of the forest. The shattered biologist calls for the forces of nature to unleash its revenge on the forester’s actions, leading to a storm.
created in a collaboration during the ‘opera as multiartistic collaboration’ course at Uniarts Helsinki
premiered 11.4.25, Black Box, Musiikkitalo, Helsinki
duration ca. 25′
conducted by Elisar Riddelin
directed by Ismael Peura and Ikenna Anyabuike
libretto by Sara Koiranen and Peppi Toivola
baritone, forester | Gabriel Kiviuori Sereno,
mezzosoprano, biologist | Adelia Spångberg,
river clams | Kharissa Newbill Adames, Ján Števuliak
ensemble
mark reid | JI just national guitar, bass guitar
Iida-Maria Kuronen | kantele
Rita Santos | violin
Laura Vilagi | viola
Smaranda Iftime | cello
with thanks to Lauri Kilpiö, Riikka Talvitie, Saana Lavaste and Martina Roos