Although we are entering the year after his worldwide 60th birthday celebrations, Pascal Dusapin continues to be a most sought-after composer. Two of his operas will be presented in January, To be sung at La Monnaie and Passion at the Sydney Opera House. And completing this remarkable month, his violin concerto, Aufgang, will be performed by the renowned Carolin Widmann.

Pascal Dusapin continues the international success of his 60th birthday year with many performances scheduled for January 2016. His chamber opera, To be sung, will have its Belgian premiere at La Monnaie on January 6, 7 and 9, a venue with which the composer has forged a long-standing relationship. Premiered in 1994 at the Théâtre des Amandiers as part of Festival d’Automne, To be sung, staged by James Turrell, and based on a text by Gertrude Stein, “a lyrical opera made by two”, is innovative both in its use of the voice (three solo sopranos) as well as in the instrumental writing and use of electronics. This new production of Dusapin’s third opera will be directed by Sjaron Minailo.

Before Dusapin completes his residency with the Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire in April, his violin concerto Aufgang, which was premiered by Renaud Capuçon in 2013, will be performed by Carolin Widmann, and conducted by Pascal Rophé, on January 13, 2016. The closing concert of his residence on April 21 will also include three virtuoso Solos for orchestra (Go, Extenso, Apex) as well as the concert piece Wenn du dem Wind (based on his last opera Penthesilea) with soprano, Karen Vourc’h.

Also not to be missed, Mille Plateaux will be exhibited at the Nantes Lieu unique from 14th January through 7th February. This exhibit is a sound and light installation created by  Dusapin in collaboration with Thierry Coduys and Guillaume Jacquemin. As the composer explains, “the music for Mille plateaux comes from a wind sculpture that inhales and exhales all over the world.”

And finally, Passion is being performed at the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon’s architectural masterpiece, on January 14th and 15th 2016, thus confirming that Dusapin’s music is presented all around the world.

Have a look at the score of Aufgang

Have a look at the score of To be sung