MasterVoices Around Town

The Life and Death(s)
of Alan Turing

By Justine F. Chen and David Simpatico

January 12, 2017 at 7:30PM | Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center

Presented by
American Lyric Theater

With music by Justine F. Chen and libretto by David Simpatico, this opera is a historical-fantasia inspired by the life of the groundbreaking computer scientist, Alan Turing. Featuring Jonathan Michie as Alan Turing, with Keely Futterer, Elise Quagliata, Andrew Bidlack, Joseph Beutel, Thomas Shivone, and members of MasterVoices. Conductor: Lidiya Yankovskaya.

The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing is a two-act opera inspired by the life of the groundbreaking computer scientist, Alan Turing. After saving England in World War II by cracking the Nazi U-boat code, he was found guilty of gross indecency for a homosexual relationship and was chemically castrated. Two years later, Turing was found poisoned near a cyanide-laced apple with a bite taken from it. The apple is believed to be a reference to his obsession with Disney’s Snow White, and an image rumored to be the inspiration for Apple Computer’s logo. Turing’s mysterious death was labeled a suicide – but there are many other theories. The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing is a historic-fantasia on Turing’s life.

Tickets ranging from $25 to $125 are on sale at Kaufman Music Center.

About Justine F. Chen

Composer and violinist Justine F. Chen has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and commissions. A native New Yorker, she has been commissioned and performed by New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, The Juilliard School, and New York Festival of Song. The New York Times described her dance score as “the kind of propulsive, emotionally resonant score that choreographers tend to dream of.” Her first opera was presented by Juilliard, NYCO’s VOX Showcase, and Chants Libres. When featured in VOX, her second opera, Jeanne, was described as “lyrical, atmospheric… striking… Throughout, Ms. Chen balances despair and humor.” (New York Times). Trilemma, her 2001 animated collaboration with digital artist Ye Won Cho, was screened at the Hiroshima Animation Festival, the New York Expo, and broadcast on PBS’s “Reel New York”. Justine’s studies of interactive computer music resulted in her computer-enhanced chamber opera, which premiered at Juilliard. Other projects include songs for soprano Jennifer Zetlan’s Marilyn Horne Foundation Recital, and for Elizabeth Futral’s Cleopatra-themed NYCO recital. She earned her DMA, MM, and BM from Juilliard in violin and composition, and specializes in contemporary music performance.

About David Simpatico

Librettist David Simpatico‘s works have been presented at major theatres around the globe, including Lincoln Center, NYC Town Hall, the Hammersmith Apollo (London), Williamstown Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival, and the New York Theatre Workshop. Using the safety net of comedy to explore life-and-death issues, his work examines man’s struggle to claim his place in a chaotic universe. Recent credits include The Waiting Room (one act play, Half Moon Theatre); Diesal Jeans, three one-act plays, TimeWave Festival; Cruel Shoes (a dark musical comedy, Ross Patterson, composer); The Screams of Kitty Genovese (music drama, Will Todd, composer); High School Musical 1 and 2 (for the Disney national tour and international productions); and Garden of Light (choral symphony, Aaron J. Kernis, composer). He was recently an Artist in Residence at Pace University, where he taught and led a staged reading workshop of his play Bad Blood. David graduated Northwestern University with a BS in Theater. David also writes, directs, edits and stars in Zombie Hideaway, a webisodic series, as well as Rev. Jimmy’s Lake of Fire, both of which are featured on his new Youtube channel, Noise Ball.

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