The Comet / Poppea

The Comet / Poppea is an experimental opera that brings together seemingly disparate worlds connected by stories of cultural transformation, juxtaposing Claudio Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea, an Italian opera from 1643 unfolding among the social divisions of ancient Rome; and The Comet, based on the 1924 science-fiction short story by sociologist and civil rights activist W. E. B. Du Bois. 

Set in 1920s New York City, the piece depicts a Black man and white woman as the only survivors after a comet hits Earth. Presented on a turntable divided in two halves, these worlds unfold simultaneously, with the stage’s rotation creating a visual and sonic spiral for audiences —inviting associations, dissociations, collisions, and confluences. 

The musical score, The Comet, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, composed by George Lewis ’74. The work is directed by Yuval Sharon, and co-produced by Anthony Roth Costanzo, Cath Brittan, The Industry, AMOC*, Curtis Institute of Music, Michigan Central Art, and Yale Schwarzman Center. (March 23–24 | Commons)

The Comet/Poppea is made possible with generous support from Lead Sponsor: Ellen Michelson.

Additional generous support for The Comet / Poppea is provided by Founding Sponsors: Carol Stein, Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation, Jeff Goody and June & Simon Li.

The Comet, composed by George Lewis with Libretto by Douglas Kearney is commissioned by AMOC*

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Developed over six years, The Comet / Poppea is realized through a landmark partnership among organizations across the United States, produced by Anthony Roth Costanzo and Cath Brittan, The Industry, AMOC* (American Modern Opera Company), Curtis Institute of Music, Michigan Central Art and Yale Schwarzman Center.