YES, IT COULD HAPPEN HERE.
A World Professional Premiere Opera of our time and for our time.
The San José Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of Maestra Barbara Day Turner, makes its second foray into chamber opera, presenting OURLAND: A Dystopian State, an opera in 12 scenes recently composed by Paul Davies with a libretto by Daniel Helfgot.
It is the story of Othien, a young man who was born across the border and now lives in Ourland with his adoptive parents and their daughter Landsis.
Ourland is an imaginary country but where many societies today can easily find themselves reflected. It is a country ruled by fear and suspicion of outsiders. Following in the long tradition of opera as relevant social commentary, it tackles the subject of the life and death consequences of bigotry, suspicion, resentment, and hate of the foreigner…the other. Mexican-American composer Paul Davies and Argentine-American librettist Daniel Helfgot bring their respective extensive backgrounds to the crafting of this intense cautionary tale heightened by lyrical, descriptive music.
Dates: Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23.
Time: Curtains at 7:30pm.
Where: 3Below Theaters & Café, 288 South Second Street, San José 95113. (Inexpensive parking is available in the city-owned garage directly above the theater.)
SINGLE TICKETS: $65 to $75
Seniors 62+ $55 to $65
Ages 22 and under $15/$25
www.sjco.org
408 295-4416
sjcorch@gmail.com
CONTENT WARNING: due to the heavy nature of the subject matter, this performance is not suitable for children.