On August 9, The Galloping Cure, the highly anticipated new opera by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, receives its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival.
Based on an original story by Karen Russell and inspired by Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor, The Galloping Cure confronts the opioid crisis through a haunting and allegorical narrative. When a mysterious carousel arrives in a struggling town promising to cure any pain, its miraculous gifts come at an unpredicted devastating cost. The Galloping Cure is a lurid tale of greed, sacrifice and resilience set amidst one of the most pressing crises of our time.
In conversation with The List Mazzoli commented "My librettist Royce Vavrek and I have always been interested in writing about the opioid crisis, but not with a heavy hand or being preachy. It’s about approaching it in a way that’s theatrically thrilling. It’s a very common experience in the USA with the struggle of opioid addiction affecting everyone through friends and family connections. Our aim with this work is to bring a sense of compassion and love."
Co-commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival, Opera Ventures Productions, Scottish Opera, NorrlandsOperan AB & San Francisco Opera, this new production reunites Mazzoli and Vavrek with director Tom Morris following their acclaimed collaboration on Breaking the Waves. Conducted by Stuart Stratford, the production stars Daniela Mack as Theresa Hart, Justin Austin as Lucky Mack, Gabrielle Turgeon as Noy, and Susan Bullock as Ivona Kowalski. Following its world premiere performances on August 9, 11, and 12 at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre, the production travels to NorrlandsOperan in Umeå, Sweden, for five performances beginning September 12, before continuing to performance runs with co-producers San Francisco Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, and the State Opera of South Australia.
For more information, please contact Peggy Monastra.
