with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Starring Alie B. Gorrie & Michelle Allie Drever
A Chamber Opera in Two Acts About the Radical Life of Helen Keller
Music by Carla Lucero
Libretto by Carla Lucero & Marianna Mott Newirth
Commissioned by Opera Birmingham
Premiered January 19 - 21, 2024
90 minutes running time
1 Actor
8 Singers
10 Instruments
Many know the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan.
Few know that DeafBlind Helen fiercely advocated for Women’s Suffrage, the anti-war effort, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Movement. She was also co-founder of the ACLU.
touch depicts the complicated, life-long relationship between Helen and Anne. Their star-crossed romances, and individual desire for and fear of independence, test the limits of their enduring connection.
The music of touch resides in two sonic worlds: Helen’s and the world around her. Helen’s music revolves around four pitches:
D-E-A-F, and Anne’s is the world around her.
Forces
Singers/Actors
Helen Keller: DeafBlind or LowVision Actor, Non-Singing
(Note: Helen’s thoughts and dialogue are voiced from a modular choir)
Anne Sullivan: Soprano
Helen’s Voice/Choir: Soprano
Kate/Choir: Mezzo
Polly/Choir: Mezzo
John/Choir: Tenor
Peter/Choir: Tenor
James/Choir: Tenor
Arthur/Choir: Bass-Baritone
Chamber Orchestra
Bassoon
French Horn
Percussion
Harp
Piano
String Quintet
Contact info:
Carla Lucero carla@carlalucero.com
Marianna Mott Newirth opera.abecedarian@gmail.com
Copyright © 2023 Carla Lucero - All Rights Reserved.