The Emissary
Opera Parallèle presents the world premiere of The Emissary, a new family opera adapted from celebrated Japanese author Yoko Tawada's award-winning novel. Friday, October 27, 7 pm, and Satuday, October 28, 1 pm & 4 pm, at ODC Theater in San Francisco.
After suffering from a massive irreparable disaster, Japan cuts itself off from the world, in what could be viewed as a post-Fukushima time. Children are so weak they can barely stand or walk: the only people with any motivation are the elderly. Mumei lives with his grandfather Yoshiro, who worries about him constantly.
They carry on a day-to-day routine, with all children born ancient—frail and gray-haired, yet incredibly compassionate and wise. Mumei may be enfeebled and feverish, but he is a beacon of hope, full of wit and free of self-pity and pessimism. Yoshiro concentrates on nourishing Mumei, a strangely wonderful boy who offers “the beauty of the time that is yet to come.”
Opera Parallèle has commissioned composer Kenji Oh and librettist Kelley Rourke to create this brand new adaptation of The Emissary as part of the seventh iteration of Hands-On-Opera, a program that creates opportunities for students of all ages to have a complete operatic experience, as well as opportunities for emerging composers, librettists and creatives through the commission of new works, specifically for young performer participants and multi-generational audiences. Directed by Yayoi Kambara and starring Angela Yam and Bradley Kynard, and featuring the Lick Wilmerding High School Chorus, bring the whole family to this world premiere!
Sung in English with supertitles. Runtime: 50 minutes, no intermission. Post-show talks will follow the Friday, October 27, 7 pm and Saturday, October 28, 1 pm performances.
