Study for Life

“We had been planning a collaborative work with Kaija Saariaho for years. In spring 2023, at Kaija’s request, it was decided that the musical arc of the piece would be built around her first stage work Study for Life. The early work is based on T.S. Eliot’s poem The Hollow Men (1925), which, with its multifaceted anti-war themes, remains profoundly relevant even a hundred years after its publication.” –Tero Saarinen

With a dystopian and lonely landscape as its starting point, this multi-artistic work seeks to achieve a holistic synesthesia – a richer range of emotions – through intense physicality and music that stretches sensitivity. Both musicians and dancers move within the performance space, blurring the boundaries between stage and audience.

In total, the evening includes four of Saariaho’s early compositions (Study for Life (1980), Petals (1988), Lichtbogen (1986), Attente and Parfum de l’instant (2002, from Quatre Instants). Study for Life is a collaboration with Amsterdam-based Asko|Schönberg ensemble. The sound design is by Tuomas Norvio, the scenography by Fabiana Piccioli, Sander Loonen, and costume designer Erika Turunen.

The world premiere takes place at the Holland Festival in June 2025, followed by performances at Bregenzer Festspiele in July. Finnish premiere will take place in Spring 2026.

Asko|Schönberg is one of The Netherlands’ leading ensembles for new music.  The ensemble presents daring concerts and performances with composed music from the 20th and 21st centuries in various settings, from concert stages and outdoor festivals to theater halls. The emphasis is on stimulating and creating new work by contemporary makers. Asko|Schönberg is ensemble in residence at the Muziekgebouw.

Choreography & concept Tero Saarinen
Music Kaija Saariaho
Sound design and soundscapes Tuomas Norvio
Lighting design Fabiana Piccioli & Sander Loonen
Costume design Erika Turunen
Set design Erika Turunen, Fabiana Piccioli & Sander Loonen
Choreographer’s assistants Satu Halttunen, Natasha Lommi
Performers Raquel Camarinha (soprano)
Live music Asko|Schönberg
Dance (6 on stage) Elina Häyrynen, Olli Lautiola, Anette Toiviainen, David Scarantino, Jing-Yi Wang, Oskari Kymäläinen, Mikko Lampinen (understudy), Emmi Pennanen (understudy)