Blown away: Rave reviews for Missy Mazzoli's opioid opera
Slipped Disc • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Galloping Cure, an opera by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, has received high praise from major UK publications, being called "one of the greatest operas of the century" and "a defining opera of our time," while addressing the opioid crisis with dark humor.
- Set in a decaying town plagued by chronic pain, the story centers on a doctor and a mysterious carousel whose rides promise pain relief but come with hidden, sinister costs involving organ harvesting.
- The production features innovative staging with psychedelic LED visuals and flying horses, enhancing the portrayal of characters' drug-induced states, under the direction of Tom Morris and conductor Stuart Stratford.
- Performances by Daniela Mack as the conflicted town doctor, Gabrielle Turgeon as her disaffected daughter, and Justin Austin as the sinister showman have been highlighted for their compelling vocal and dramatic portrayals.
- The eclectic score blends American folk influences with modernist elements and surreal soundscapes, integrating live and pre-recorded music to create a deeply immersive and collaborative artistic experience.
