Organization

Actor

Alie B. Gorrie

Helen Keller

Singer

Soprano

Michelle Allie Drever

Anne Sullivan Macy

Dramaturge

Cori Ellison

Orchestra

Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Opera Birmingham

Tenor

Caleb Clark

John Macy (Anne’s husband)

Patrick Bessenbacher

Peter Fagan (Helen’s interpreter and star-crossed lover)

Catherine Goode

Helen's Voice

Mezzo-soprano

Emily Pulley

Kate Keller

Sarah Coit

Polly Thompson

Bass-baritone

Hunter Enoch

Arthur Keller

David Morgans

James Keller

Conductor

Mary Chun

Stage director

Sara Widzer

englanti

Touch

Birmingham

United States

Red Mountain Theatre Cabaret

Touch Carla Lucero

Public

Approved

Keith A. Wolfe-Hughes, general director of Opera Birmingham, announces the commission of "Touch," a new opera based on the life of Helen Keller, which is scheduled for a WORLD PREMIERE in Birmingham, Alabama in January 2024. Visit www.operabirmingham.org/touch for more information!

Opera Birmingham announces "Touch," a new opera based on the life of Helen Keller

Opera Birmingham has commissioned composer/librettist Carla Lucero and co-librettist Marianna Mott Newirth to create a new opera about the life of Helen Keller, celebrated 20th century deaf and blind author and activist, and Anne Sullivan Macy, her confidant and friend. 

The opera Touch picks up where the play The Miracle Worker ends, exploring the complicated relationship between Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan Macy, John Macy (Anne’s husband), and Peter Fagan (Helen’s interpreter and star-crossed lover). Touch addresses themes of disability and agency. A world-renowned humanitarian, Helen Keller fiercely advocated for women’s suffrage, civil rights, and disability rights. Helen’s monumental achievements over 80 years shed light on society’s darkest disabilities. She saw the need for a balanced world, heard the cry of the oppressed, and spoke for them. Helen’s passion was equally present in her personal life. Touch tenderly captures the humanity of her life, characteristics often overlooked in such an iconic figure.

This 90 minute, two-act chamber opera is slated for a 2024 premier in Birmingham, AL. The production features three principal singing roles (Anne Sullivan Macy, John Macy, and Peter Fagan). An actor plays the role of Helen Keller, and there is an ensemble of six singers, representing Helen’s voice and doubling in secondary roles. The score will be orchestrated for seven players: flute, bassoon, percussion, prepared piano, and string trio. 

Touch represents Opera Birmingham’s commitment to telling diverse stories of our community and providing access to a wide range of artists and patrons. This production is being developed to include low-vision and low-hearing artists in all facets of the opera. We are also working to  ensure accessibility for audience members, from ASL interpreters at performances and Braille program notes to assisted listening devices and audio description services.

Sung in English with projected English text. Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL). The length of the opera is approximately 90 minutes.

English

Touch by Lucero, Alkaen (2024/2024), Ohjannut Sara Widzer,, Musiikinjohto Mary Chun, Red Mountain Theatre Cabaret, Birmingham, United States

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