a new folk opera

Something is spreading like a sickness across the great lands of the Cherokee. Something causing good Christian people to abandon their morals and become utterly consumed with one unholy cause: power. Ever since Mr. Parks found that gold, the sickness been running rampant through the hills of Northern Georgia and Eliana Banks is scared to death she’s caught it; terrified it’s hiding somewhere inside her, waiting for its opportunity to emerge. Her granddaddy had the sickness; stole the land she lives on from native folk. Her Daddy and Mommy had it too; built their farm with blood. Now her neighbors are betraying their families for a chance at fortune and she’s been visited again by that uncanny vision with long antlers that once tormented her childhood dreams. She promised the love of her life she’d never sell the land his Cherokee people have lived on for centuries. Still, that Gold Mint would mean a secure place for her in a society where she’ll be shunned for marrying the man she loves. And her Daddy’s dying, and there’s no one to run the farm. All she has to do is sign the paper for her ailing father and a world of comfort will forever be hers. It’s what her uncanny dreams want her to do. Is she strong enough to refuse? The Sickness is a folk horror opera inspired by the many ways people are haunted by their cultural heritage.

Libretto by David Davila

Music by Gillian Rae Perry

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The Sickness will receive its world premiere at Atlanta Opera in 2028.

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