Innocence is a large-scale symphonic opera with an international wide-ranging cast, composed by Kaija Saariaho and libretto written by Sofi Oksanen. It is scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2021 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in July.

Although the premiere still lies ahead, the opera has already been shortlisted for the prestigious 2021 Fedora Opera Prize.

The Fedora Opera Prize is awarded by Fedora – a European platform that supports innovation in opera and ballet – and is bestowed on promising artists and teams of co-producing cultural institutions who collaborate on the creation of new opera or ballet productions to reach out to new and wider audiences. This prize celebrates new talents and ideas in opera and ballet that will shape the future of these art forms.

To vote, click the “Read more” button below.

Philomène Grandin (b. 1974) is a Swedish actress, scriptwriter and TV host who has starred in a variety of movies, TV series and theater productions at the Stockholm and Gothenburg City Theaters. She debuts as an author with her autofictional novel Don’t Forget Me – a raw and deeply touching portrait of life with her father, the iconic folk music expert Izzy Young. Don’t Forget Me is the story of a father and a daughter who refuse to let go of life, and of each other.

David Sundin (b. 1976) is a Swedish comedian, screenwriter, actor and television show host, not to mention a silver medalist in the Swedish Championship in Puns. Having thoroughly charmed the grown populace of Sweden, Sundin finally set out to entertain the pickiest audience of all: kids. In 2020, he made his children’s books debut with The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read. This unruly, mischievous and utterly entertaining book became the most sold children’s title of 2020.