The sixth opera by French composer Pascal Dusapin (1955), Iannis Xenakis’s sole composition pupil, takes its inspiration – more in spirit than in function – from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, although the two main characters in this work are simply called Lei and Lui, She and He. Dusapin is primarily interested in Euridyce/Lei. Consumed by their passion for one another, they begin their voyage from the underworld, but she refuses to make the ascent: she knows how it all will end… Dusapin’s music is typified by long harmonic lines and by the use of rhythmic elements that never blot out the larger line or vocal parts. Passion made its premiere at the 2008 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, and now the Holland Festival presents a new version with a mise-en-espace by Pierre Audi.

excerpt from the Washington Post article by Aaron Grad on May 30, 2009
"Philippe Manoury's "Partita I," a 2006 work for viola and electronics, expands on the solo tradition that stretches back to Bach's partitas and sonatas for violin. It calls upon advanced technology and rigorous compositional processes, details that may scare off many fans of classical music. But those who opened their ears to Thursday night's performance at La Maison Française experienced the timeless thrill of a masterful composition being interpreted by a devoted and well-equipped performer."

http://www.philippemanoury.com/