Chicago Opera Theater Presents DEATH AND THE POWERS, 4/2-4/10

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) opens their 2011 Spring Festival Season with the Midwest Premiere of Tod Machover's Death and the Powers, The Robots' Opera on April 2, 6, 8 and 10 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

"Tod Machover is one of the most admired composers in the U.S. and we are thrilled to be working with him and presenting this piece to Chicago," said General Director Brian Dickie. "I was lucky enough to see the world premiere in Monte Carlo, and I am honored for Chicago Opera Theater to present the Midwest premiere of Death and the Powers."

Death and the Powers will mark the 21st Chicago premiere that Dickie has brought to the city since he came to COT in 1999.
Death and the Powers is a groundbreaking new opera created by Tod Machover and his Opera of the Future group at the MIT Media Lab in association with Chicago Opera Theater and American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)

The September 24, 2010 world premiere of Death and the Powers at l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo was praised by audiences and critics alike, who used words like "emotional and brilliant" (Le Monde) and "dazzling and deeply serious" (Opera Magazine).
The libretto for Death and the Powers is written by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky from a story by Pinsky and Randy Weiner and directed by Diane Paulus, who is renowned for her talent in delivering adventurous productions through audience participation devices, exemplified in her recent revival of HAIR on Broadway. This will be Paulus' 8th Chicago Opera Theater production following such audience favorites as Orfeo, Così fan tutte, Turn of the Screw, and Marriage of Figaro. Ms. Paulus is joined by her chosen choreographer Karole Armitage who has a knack for creating eye-catching, quirky rhythmic movement which is communicated effectively by the human characters as well as the robot chorus. Production designer Alex McDowell rounds out the team, best known as the creative director behind such films as Minority Report and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The music is performed by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, conducted by Gil Rose.

Death and the Powers is a one-act, full evening work which tells the story of Simon Powers, a rich, successful inventor, who wishes to perpetuate his existence beyond the decay of his physical being. Reaching the end of his life, Powers uses his vast resources and devises a way to 'download' himself into his environment. This transformation turns every object in his surroundings-such as his books, furniture and walls-into a collective, living version of himself, called The System. His family, friends and business associates are left to explore how this transformation impacts their relationships and ability to move forward with their own lives and legacies. Machover elegantly blends his technological and artistic expertise to create an inventive score filled with arching melodic lines, richly nuanced textures, and propulsive rhythms. Additionally, Death and the Powers introduces specially-designed technology and an animated set-including a chorus of robots and a musical chandelier-assuredly launching a new era in opera production and expression.

Developed by Machover's Opera of the Future Group at the MIT Media Lab, Death and the Powers sets itself apart from other operas with pioneering performance technologies. The stage is a vast, interconnected, intelligent ‘System' of Powers' continuing presence. As the opera progresses, the set ‘comes alive' with Simon's thoughts, feelings and memories through a new technique called Disembodied Performance which uses innovative sensors and analysis software to translate James Maddalena's sounds and gestures into the behavior of the set. The customized audio system boasts 143 separate speakers which allows for a 'mini' surround sound system in each of the boxes and balconies. In coordination with his first-rate production team, Machover actively participates in the performance from his seat in the opera house. Working with a customized iPad, Machover literally keeps technology at his fingertips -- allowing him to make subtle electronic, robotic and acoustic changes throughout the opera so as to further enhance and refine all aspects of the live concert experience.

In addition to the animatronic set, the opera employs several other inventions developed especially for the production including: a chorus of ‘Operabots' which narrate and react to the story and a spectacular musical Chandelier, comprised of long Teflon strings which resonate through remotely actuated electromagnets as well as on-stage performers plucking, strumming and dampening the strings.

Death and the Powers' cast features baritone James Maddalena as Simon Powers; soprano Emily Albrink as Simon's third wife, Evvy; soprano Sara Heaton as Simon's daughter, Miranda; tenor Hal Cazalet as Simon's research assistant and adopted son, Nicholas; countertenor Douglas Dodson as ‘The United Way'; baritone David Kravitz as ‘The United Nations'; and bass Tom McNichols as ‘The Administration.'

Tickets available at 312.704.8414 or ChicagoOperaTheater.org, or at the Harris Theater at 312.334.7777 or HarrisTheaterChicago.org.