Ligeia Mare is a sci-fi electronic fantasy opera written and composed by Damon Davis. Inspired by the life and philosophy of jazz legend Sun Ra, the story follows Cosmo, an awkward adolescent with the gift of astral projection while dreaming. The project explores themes of self-empowerment, familial relationships, and the Black imagination. Ultimately it is a story that explores how myths can be doorways to reclaiming our identity.
In its first iteration, the project is taking the form of a Radio Opera or podcast that will be released in 8 episodes and features 16-year-old Florissant teen Isaiah Taylor as Cosmo, as well as Rockwell Knuckles and Aloha Mischeaux as Cosmo’s parents. The Radio Opera is performed by Alarm Will Sound, conducted by Alan Pierson, with instrumental arrangements by Ted Hearne, and choral arrangements by Dave Ragland Jr. This project is funded by Alarm Will Sound through its Matt Marks Impact Fund and by OPERA America’s IDEA Opera Grants program, supported by the Charles and Cerise Jacobs Charitable Foundation.
Ligeia Mare: A Radio Opera will be showing at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center on March 22, 2024. Doors open at 7:00pm.