opera notebook
some operas I have seen on videoMichel van der Aa, Upload (2019-20)
libretto by the composer
De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam, 2021
- Conductor: Otto Tausk
- Director: Michel van der Aa
- Set Designer: Theun Mosk
- Daughter: Julia Bullock
- Father: Roderick Williams
A woman has problems relating to her father after he uploads himself into virtual reality and does away with his physical body.
Beautifully sung here by Julia Bullock and Roderick Williams, the operatic parts of this opera are very effective. The entire show is padded out to 79 minutes with lots of spoken dialogue that establishes the science-fiction premise. It is a very familiar SF premise. Even though the actors who play the uploaders are good at conveying bland corporate creepiness, their substantial scenes are a drag on the action; we get the idea too quickly.
The interaction between visual effects and set design is impressive, as is typical in van der Aa's hybrid theater/film pieces.