New Wave Opera presents: ATOMS & ARTFIACTSFriday, September 19, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 2:00 PM - includes ASL Interpretation
Mago Hunt Recital Hall | University of Portland | 5000 N Willamette Blvd | Portland, OR | 97203
Join New Wave Opera for Atoms & Artifacts, an exploration of the perceptions & experiences of historical women. This production features the west coast premieres of two 60-minute operas: Marie Curie Learns to Swim by Jessica Rudman, composer, & Kendra Preston Leonard, librettist, and Alice Tierney by Melissa Dunphy, composer, & Jacqueline Goldfinger, librettist, used by arrangement with Mormolyke Press.
Atoms & Artifacts is generously supported by the University of Portland, Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC), and the Oregon Cultural Trust (OCT).
Performed in English with supertitles. Sunday's performance will have ASL interpretation. Recommended for audiences 13 and up. Content includes short comedic profanity and brief mention of sex work.
RUN TIME:
Approx. 2 hrs 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
ABOUT MARIE CURIE LEARNS TO SWIM
Famous scientist Madame Curie and her daughter and research partner Irène take a vacation to the sea. Irene longs for rest, internally struggling with her fears about the radium they are using in their research, while Marie feels the urgency to return to her lab and continue her groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
New Wave Opera is proud to perform Marie Curie Learns to Swim in its complete orchestration with chamber ensemble, conducted by Dr. Stephen Lewis!
(Runtime: ~70 minutes)
CAST
Marie Curie: Lisa Neher
Irène Curie: Lindsey Rae Johnson
Pierre Curie: Dan Gibbs
Young Marie Curie: Alishia Garcia
CREATIVE TEAM
Stage Director: Jeffrey Puukka
Music Director: Stephen Lewis
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Flute: Amelia Lukas
Clarinet: Dunja Jennings
Violin: Casey Bozell
Cello: Adaiha MacAdam-Somer
Piano: Sequoia
Percussion: Wanyue Ye
ABOUT ALICE TIERNEY:
A team of archeology graduate students excavate the home of 1800's murder victim Alice Tierney. With little evidence to go on, each posits their own theory about who Alice was, and through the magic of opera, their versions of Alice come to life on the stage. But who was the real Alice? How do we sort out fact from fiction? How do our own experiences color the narratives we impose on history?
(Runtime: ~60 minutes)
CAST
Alice 1: Henriët Fourie
Alice 2: Nicole Hanig
Alice 3: Lindsey Rae Johnson
Quinn: Chelsea Janzen Williams
Lyra: Amanda Rose Taddeo
Zandra: Lisa Neher
John: Scot Crandal
CREATIVE TEAM
Stage Director: Brandon Michael
Melissa Dunphy, composer
Jacqueline Goldfinger, librettist
Used by arrangement with Mormolyke Press.
Event Venue
The Mago Hunt Center, ChargePoint, Portland, OR 97203, United States
Tickets
