composed by Rainer Wiens
libretto by Victoria Ward
directed by Thom Sokoloski
designed by Vikki Anderson
lighting by Bonnie Beecher
featuring Richard Armstrong, Fides Krucker & Susanna Hood
with guitarists John Gzowski, Bill Parsons, Nilan Perera, Monty Horton & Rainer Wiens
(CORNER OF BATHURST ST. & ADELAIDE STREET WEST)
DOWN HERE ON EARTH is a contemporary chamber opera for five prepared electric guitars, mezzo-soprano, baritone and soprano.
DOWN HERE ON EARTH is a contemporary chamber opera for five prepared electric guitars, mezzo-soprano, baritone and soprano.
On a cold moonless night something invaded the lives of Red and Mercy. Ever since, alone and disenfranchised, they live in the ruins of an abandoned communication tower. Two souls caught in the failure of a dream, lost between what love was and what love turned out to be. They go on. To forget, Red fancies himself a monk constructing a sanctuary against ghosts from the past. Mercy on the other hand, finds no solace. Every sleep triggers her memory. Only her potions bring relief, allowing her to imagine other times when it was safe and warm, times when a little girl could look up at the moon with great expectations.
A Child resides within the sanctuary, a work of their illusion...or not, a beacon for Red and Mercy at the edge of a swirling universe. In its hand is a comic book, a holy book in which the "Toxic Minotaur" hovers over the world condemning anyone resisting truth. When the ghosts reappear, the Child forces Red and Mercy toward them and a final reckoning with each other.
DOWN HERE ON EARTH is a remarkable work of musical invention and poetic nerve. This story digs deep into the heart.
When you reserve and purchase your tickets over the net for a regular weeknight or weekend, your second ticket is $12.00 for a regular weeknight and $16.00 for the weekend.