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What goes on in the mind of Lincoln Center's Chief Artistic Officer Shanta Thake during a performance? See for yourself! On World Opera Day, Lincoln Center premieres Song of the Ambassadors, a groundbreaking opera in development that interweaves music, science, and technology.

The piece was conceived by K Allado-McDowell who co-wrote the libretto in a collaborative exchange with the artificial intelligence program GPT-3. Composed by Derrick Skye, the score combines traditional Ewe music from Ghana, Persian classical music, electronic music, and environmental sounds into a meditative hymn to the sun, space, and life sung by the opera’s titular "Ambassadors".

AI-generated images designed by media artist Refik Anadol are infused with real-time brainwave data from Thake and pre-selected audience members to create combined visualizations on stage alongside ceremonial set pieces and costumes designed by Marcos Lutyens and Oana Botez. The result is a powerful experience of sound healing that illuminates the pathways by which music and ritual feeds the spirit.

A panel contextualizing and illuminating the technology and philosophical inputs of the piece will precede the work, featuring Allado-McDowell, Skye, and Anadol. Moderated by Helga Davis.

Creative Team and Performers:
K. Allado-McDowell – Creator, Derrick Skye – Composer & Electronics, Refik Anadol – Media Artist, Shanta Thake – Brainist, Debi Wong – Solar Ambassador, Andrew Turner – Life Ambassador, Laurel Semerdjian – Space Ambassador, Ben Newman – Producer, Alex Khalil – Neuroscientist, Ying Wu – Neuroscientist, Mary Birnbaum – Stage Director, Michelle Rofrano – Music Director, Oana Botez – Costume Designer, Marcos Lutyens – Set Designer, Ian Smith – Sound Designer, Dave Grill – Lighting Designer, Fanny Wyrick-Flax – Flute & Alto Flute, Josh Henderson – Violin & Viola, Yuri Yamashita – Percussion

From left to right: K. Allado-McDowell, Refik Anadol, Derrick Skye, Shanta Thake, Laurel Semerdjan, Debi Wong, and Andrew Turner

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Guest Services at 212-875-5456 or [email protected].

 

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THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

Support Our Artistic Community

Lincoln Center is committed to the power of the arts and the important role it plays in our lives. Give today to join our mission and help champion the future of Lincoln Center.

A contribution of any size makes a big impact!