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Met’s “Innocence” Explores School Shooting, Stars Finnish Debut

4/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Metropolitan Opera is staging “Innocence,” a modern opera that examines the lasting impact of a school shooting.
The work’s score shifts between aching melodies, harsh percussive speech, and is performed in nine languages.
Finnish singer Vilma Jää, 30, makes her Met debut as Markéta, a role composed for her by Kaija Saariaho.
Joyce DiDonato, playing Markéta’s mother, helped Jää learn to protect herself emotionally from the story.

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Story summary

The Metropolitan Opera is staging “Innocence,” a modern opera that examines the lasting impact of a school shooting.
The work’s score shifts between aching melodies, harsh percussive speech, and is performed in nine languages.
Finnish singer Vilma Jää, 30, makes her Met debut as Markéta, a role composed for her by Kaija Saariaho.
Joyce DiDonato, playing Markéta’s mother, helped Jää learn to protect herself emotionally from the story.