Gravity Radio December 7, 2010

Part of the 2010 Next Wave Festival

NY Premiere

Conceived, written, and directed by Mikel Rouse

“A composer many believe to be the best of his generation.” —The New York Times

Inspired by the work of physicist Raymond Chiao—known for his experiments with superconductors and gravity waves that exist only in conjecture, eluding detection—composer Mikel Rouse (The End Of Cinematics, 2006 Next Wave) unleashes the rollicking song cycle Gravity Radio.

Acclaimed for his distinctly downtown operas, Rouse is hyper-alert to the bits and bytes that make us tick. Gravity Radio tunes in to the zeitgeist, mixing kaleidoscopic multichannel video with sounds from the AP News Wire, a string quartet, shortwave radio frequencies, and songs by Rouse’s band to create an otherworldly environment. Describing the culture we live in, Rouse communicates its complexity and, like the force of gravity that keeps us grounded, evokes its intangible mystery.

60min, no intermission

Set design by Jeffery Sugg
Sound design by Christopher Ericson
Musical direction by Matthew Gandolfo

Commissioned by BAM for the 2010 Next Wave Festival.

Official Website: http://bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2239