Len Lye The Opera

Composer: Eve de Castro-Robinson
Libretto: Roger Horrocks
Artistic Director: Uwe Grodd
Stage Director: Murray Edmond

Len Lye the opera brings together a cast of leading national and international singers, a band of top musicians and an outstanding creative team in a celebration of the life of one of New Zealand’s most original artists and colourful personalities – Len Lye.

New Zealand-born Lye (1901-1980) was a pioneer of kinetic art and filmmaking whose work challenged traditional boundaries and forged new explorations of sound and movement. Fittingly, then, Len Lye the opera promises to be a multi-media extravaganza featuring a jazz-influenced score and an original mix of theatre, film, dance and spectacle.

Featuring an acclaimed cast of international singers and New Zealand favourites including:

James Harrison (UK)
Ursula Langmayr (Austria)
Anna Pierard
Carmel Carroll
Lilia Carpinelli (Italy)
Te Oti Rakena

The award-winning creative team includes Eve de Castro-Robinson (composer), Roger Horrocks (libretto), Uwe Grodd (artistic director/conductor), Murray Edmond (director), Shirley Horrocks (moving images), John Verryt (set design), Kristen Sorrenson (Costume Design), Nik Janiurek (lighting design) and Emily Campbell (choreographer).

This is “a 21st century opera” with wide appeal - a unique blend of music, film, dance, theatre, extraordinary costumes and stage design. You’ve never seen anything like it before!

This one-of-a-kind event is for a limited season only – don’t miss it!

Len Lye the opera is produced by the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, The University of Auckland.