Upload (opera)


Upload is an opera in nine scenes with music and text by Michel van der Aa. The 2021 productions were conducted by Otto Tausk and directed by Michel van der Aa. The opera was commissioned by Dutch National Opera, Cologne Opera, Bregenzer Festspiele, Ensemble Musikfabrik, Park Avenue Armory, and DoubleA Foundation. In October 2021 it was the New York Times critic's pick, and in November 2022 won "Best Digital Opera" at the International Opera Awards ceremony in Madrid.

Plot

The story recounts a daughter whose father has had his memories "uploaded" to the digital cloud, in order to achieve eternal consciousness as a digital being. The opera questions the roles that fate, identity, and the cost of immortality play in our lives. The story is told through two storylines: one through pre-recorded film, and the other by two live opera singers. Live motion-capture projections are also used, allowing for the daughter character to interact with her "digitised" father.

Roles

Live cast
RoleVoice typePremiere cast
FatherbaritoneRoderick Williams
DaughtersopranoJulia Bullock

Film cast
RolePremiere cast
PsychiatristKatja Herbers
CEOAshley Zukerman
ScientistEsther Mugambi
Brother-in-lawSamuel West
Childhood friendClaron McFadden
Friend 1David Eeles
Friend 2Tessa Stephenson

Recording

A film version of the opera was made available on Medici.tv from July 16, 2021. The Dutch premiere was on October 1, 2021, at the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam. There were performances at the Park Avenue Armory New York in March 2022 and at the Cologne Opera in April 2022.