Immersive Opera Event: The Thinker (Ticket link in description)

Tickets available here ($5 - $20) - www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/events-programs/events-list/immersive-opera-event-the-thinker/

Mexican-American composer Nathan Felix will present his new immersive opera titled The Thinker at Cincinnati Art Museum on Friday August 16th.  The Thinker, is a short opera about French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The opera will feature Corbin DeSpain (tenor) as Auguste Rodin, Rachel Kobernick (soprano) as Rose Beuret, Lucianna Astorga (soprano) as Rodin’s stalker Gwen John, Tess Klibanoff (mezzo) as sculptor and lover Camille Claudel, and Michael Hyatt (bass) as painter and colleague Claude Monet.

Felix is known for his guerilla-style approach in presenting classical music in unconventional spaces and The Thinker is no exception, with a performance utilizing space, movement, and acoustics to activate the Cincinnati Art Museum in a unique way. The idea behind Felix’s immersive opera is similar to a flash mob as it revolves around blurring the line between performer and audience by having musical performers move amongst the audience as they perform a cohesive musical composition. The audience is encouraged to follow the narrative of the piece which entails following the soloists but they are ultimately given agency to explore based on feeling, sight and soundscape. 

The Thinker, is a short opera about French sculptor Auguste Rodin and his colorful life. The opera highlights and explores Rodin's humble beginnings, salacious affairs, life-long love for Rose Beuret and his encounters with iconic contemporaries such as Claude Monet. Other featured musicians include conductor Moyue Zhou, violinist Tao Xue, violist Lila Reeser and cellist Colin Gregoire.

Host or Publisher Nathan Felix