“Like few other composers or curators of any age, Aucoin…is devoted to championing the unique ability of music, literature and art of all kinds to mirror and amplify the gamut of human emotions.”

–The San Diego Union-Tribune

DACAMERA and The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University present
Matthew Aucoin and Peter Sellars: Music for New Bodies
World Premiere | Concert Performance
Co-commission of DACAMERA, the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, AMOC* (American Modern Opera Company), LA Opera and Aspen Music Festival and School

Matthew Aucoin, composer and conductor
Peter Sellars, director
Texts inspired by the writings of Jorie Graham and Rachel Carson, libretto assembled by Peter Sellars and Matthew Aucoin
Kathryn Lewek, soprano; Meryl Dominguez, soprano; Rachael Wilson, mezzo-soprano; Brenton Ryan, tenor; Cory McGee, bass-baritone
Instrumental ensemble of Shepherd School of Music students and DACAMERA Young Artists

A major new work and exciting first collaboration between the brilliant young composer Matthew Aucoin and legendary director Peter Sellars. A musical premiere is brought to life by five vocal soloists and an 18-instrument ensemble conducted by Matthew Aucoin.

Music for New Bodies is an immersion in vast planetary processes: we follow the migration of eels to the depths of the Atlantic Basin; we hear the voice of the ocean floor itself, speaking with superhuman pressure and force; we experience humankind’s impact on our planet, and we also sense the presence of cycles so immense that they are beyond human influence.

DACAMERA welcomes back 33-year old MacArthur Fellow Matthew Aucoin, already at the vanguard of opera composers, with commissions and critically-acclaimed premieres from the Metropolitan and Los Angeles operas. This new work follows DACAMERA’s commission of Aucoin’s string quartet, premiered here in 2019.  Joining Aucoin for this unique Houston residency jointly sponsored by DACAMERA and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music is internationally renowned opera, film, theater and festival director Peter Sellars, celebrated for his collaborations with the world’s leading composers, including Kaija Saariaho, John Adams and Tyshawn Sorey. This concert performance is presented at Brockman Hall for Opera at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

“Like few other composers or curators of any age, Aucoin has a keen interest in learning and demonstrating how different genres and eras are linked. He is also devoted to championing the unique ability of music, literature and art of all kinds to mirror and amplify the gamut of human emotions.” –The San Diego Union-Tribune

“The piece is richly detailed, psychologically nuanced and philosophically provocative. Aucoin is very much his own man.” — WBUR on Matthew Aucoin’s Crossing