Today, the Theater Winterthur presents the world première of humanoid, a science-fiction opera composed by Leonard Evers, with a libretto by Pamela Dürr.
(c) Sarah Wijzenbeek
Leonard Evers has already composed several works for the stage, mostly for children, including the highly successful Gold ! (2012).
In a futuristic world in the 3rd millennium, Jonah experiments with androids and creates his ideal partner, Alma. What feelings and memories are real when the boundaries between man and machine almost completely blur ?The cast includes soprano Orsolya Nyakas (Alma), countertenor Oscar Verhaar (Child), mezzo Larissa Angelini (Vivienne), tenor Per Lindström (Jonah) and bass Michal Marhold (Juri). Sebastian Schwab conducts the Orchestra of the Musikkollegium Winterthur. Cordula Däuper directs.
Every night before going to sleep Jonah deletes Alma's memory for safety. As a child intervenes and saves Alma's data to another robot, Jonah loses control. The situation escalates and becomes a game about life and death between humans and androids. (freely adapted from the Theater Winterthur website)
The score is published by Boosey & Hawkes. According to the publisher's website, the required orchestra is the following :
- 1 flute (doubling piccolo), 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon ;
- 1 horn, 1 trumpet ;
- percussion (2 players) ;
- piano
- strings (1.1.1.1.1).
The performance should last about 70 minutes. After 5 performances in Winterthur, the opera will also be performed in Bern.
