Czech composer Lucie Vítková presents OPERA, a new piece for singing instrumentalists from The OPERA Ensemble. The piece will take the traditional musical form of opera filled by contemporary and experimental musical materials, written for singing musicians playing harp, saxophone, flute, theremin, accordion, and oboe. OPERA is based on utopian thinking and its environment includes sound, visuals, fashion and movement. The libretto of the piece is based on theoretical texts concerning voice, expressed via Morse code.

Lucie Vítková – Composer, Accordion,Voice
Sophie Leetmaa – Harp, Voice
Sydney Viles – Theremin, Voice
Martha Cargo – Flutes, Voice
Sky Macklay – Oboe, Voice
Carolyn Hietter – Saxophones, Voice

Lucie Vítková is a composer, improviser and performer (accordion, harmonica, voice and tap dance) from the Czech Republic. She is a 2017 Herb Alpert Awards in Arts nominee in category of Music and an emerging artist of Thomas M. Messer Bohemian Creative Hub at the Czech Center New York. Her compositions focus on sonification (compositions based on abstract models derived from physical objects), while her improvisation practice explores characteristics of discrete spaces through the interaction between sound and movement. In her recent work, she is interested in the musical legacy of Morse Code and the social-political aspects of music and art in relation to everyday life.

Lucie Vítková: OPERA is made possible, in part, by the Jerome Foundation.

The Jerome Foundation, a long-time supporter of new works, was a mainstay in Roulette’s early development. Its steadfast support for more than 30 years enables us to continue to present exciting, ambitious compositions by promising emerging artists. Each year, the Jerome Foundation supports five artist residencies and four commissions at Roulette.