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Location: Margaret Greenham TheatrePresented in collaboration with Toronto’s Tapestry Opera—the country's leading producer of new opera—this dazzling contemporary opera tangos with the ethics of A.I.
Inspired by Karel Čapek’s 1920’s science-fiction play Rossum’s Universal Robots, which introduced the word “robot” to the English language, R.U.R. A Torrent of Light offers a look into the near future, where humanoid bots start to prioritize their own learning over their creators’ instructions. Tech mogul inventors Helena and Dom soon realize they’ve reached a turning point in the A.I. tech race. But is humanity ready?
With compositions by the highly innovative JUNO-nominated Nicole Lizée and a libretto by award-winning writer Nicolas Billon, the opera made its Dora Award-winning world premiere at Tapestry Opera in 2022. It was the first Canadian work to win the best new opera award from the Music Critics Association of North America. Four years since its world premiere, this workshop presents updates to the piece’s A.I. language, incorporates motion capture, and new sections of movement and choreography.
With its daring, electronic-infused score and its complex reflections on the risks of A.I., R.U.R. A Torrent of Light couldn’t be timelier.
Opera is generously supported by the David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund and the Maria Francisca Josepha Brouwer Scholarship Fund for Dutch Artists.
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is excited to bring together world-renowned musicians, artists, and writers, as well as passionate audiences for the 2026 Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival. Running throughout May to September, the 2026 festival invites audiences to experience a season of artistic discovery of over 100 free and ticketed events. Tickets are now available for the 2026 Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival!
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107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff, AB, Canada, Alberta T1L 1H5
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