“a seamless interweaving of opera, film and high technology…[Van der Aa] operates here as composer, librettist and director with the restraint of a confident master.”
—The New York Times, Critic’s Pick
“gorgeous…[Julia Bullock] gives an unrestrained, impassioned performance”
—The Wall Street Journal
Where does our identity reside: in our minds, our bodies, or our relationships? This seminal question lies at the heart of the latest work by visionary composer, film and stage director, and librettist Michel van der Aa. Having dazzled Armory audiences with his technologically ambitious chamber opera Blank Out in 2017, van der Aa returns for the highly anticipated North American premiere of this groundbreaking new operatic work that blends live performance, technical innovation, and immersive film.
The acclaimed Julia Bullock and Roderick Williams star as a daughter and her father who, when confronted by his inevitable death, have his thoughts and memories uploaded to achieve virtual immortality. At once highly conceptual and deeply emotional, this thought-provoking work examines technologies of our near-future and the impact they play on fate, identity, and everlasting life.
Artist Talk: Upload with Michel van der Aa and Marina Abramović
Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00pm
Composer, librettist, and director Michel van der Aa discusses “Upload” with conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović.
North American Premiere
A Park Avenue Armory Commission
Commissioned by and in Co-Production with Park Avenue Armory, Dutch National Opera, Oper Köln, Bregenzer Festspiele, Ensemble Musikfabrik, doubleA Foundation
Composition, Director, Libretto, Michel van der Aa
Daughter, Julia Bullock
Father, Roderick Williams
Psychiatrist, Katja Herbers (film)
CEO, Ashley Zukerman (film)
Scientist, Esther Mugambi (film)
Brother-in-law, Samuel West (film)
Childhood friend, Claron McFadden (film)
Friend 1, David Eeles (film)
Friend 2, Tessa Stephenson (film)
Music Director, Otto Tausk
Orchestra, Ensemble Musikfabrik
Set & Lighting Design, Theun Mosk
Dramaturgy, Madelon Kooijman, Niels Nuijten
Director of Photography, Joost Rietdijk
Motion Capture and Real-Time Graphics, Darien Brito
VFX Supervisor & Fractal Artist, Julius Horsthuis
Photo: Marco Borggreve
March 22–30, 2022
Monday–Wednesday at 7:30pm
Friday–Saturday at 8:00pm
Tickets start at $45 (plus fees)
Wade Thompson Drill Hall
View the seating chart.
This performance is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes with no intermission. Performed in English with English supertitles.
Health and Safety Protocols
All ticket-holders above the age of 5 years old must be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” means that you received your final dose of an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine at least 14 days before your performance date. At check-in, ticket-holders will be required to show proof of full vaccination (the New York State Excelsior Pass or a hard copy or photo of your vaccination card) and a government-issued photo ID (for ticket holders 18 years of age or older).
All patrons and staff are required to wear masks while inside the Armory (N95, KN95 or KF94 masks are recommended).
To view additional COVID-19 Policies, please visit our FAQs page.
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