
R.U.R. A Torrent of Light
World premiere
Composed by Nicole Lizée | Libretto by Nicolas Billon | Directed by Michael Hidetoshi Mori
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WINNER of SIX 2022 Dora Mavor Moore Awards!
Sci-fi opera set in the near future
The fictional tech company R.U.R., founded by couple Helena and Dom, dominates the A.I. software market and powers the now-ubiquitous androids that serve their human owners.
As Dom becomes more focused on growing R.U.R’s profits, Helena’s creative research leads to an unexpected technological breakthrough that pits the couples’ visions squarely against each other. They’ve reached a turning point for humanity, but is humanity ready?
Inspired by Karel Čapek’s 1920’s science-fiction play Rossum’s Universal Robots (which introduced the word “robot” to the English language), composer Nicole Lizée’s and writer Nicolas Billon’s R.U.R. A Torrent of Light grapples with one of our generation’s most fascinating questions.
In collaboration with OCAD University
This stunning new opera combines dance, beautiful multimedia design, a chamber orchestra including 100 instruments creating a unique electronica-classical sound, and wearable technology created with OCAD University’s Social Body Lab, to create an immersive and unforgettable science-fiction experience.
Tickets
The following seating sections are available for this performance. Tickets are from $10 to $100. All tickets are subject to a $5 transaction fee.
- Orchestra Centre
- Orchestra Sides
- Orchestra Rear
- Balcony (standing room)
Comfort and safety
- Masks are mandatory
- Surtitles are available
- Strobe-like patterned lighting will be used in this performance
- There are occasional sounds at loud volume
- Age guidance PG-13
- The show is 2 hours including a 20 minute intermission
- Latecomers will not be admitted, we recommend you arrive no later than 15 minutes before the show start time
The Great Hall at OCAD University
Level 2, beside the Anniversary Gallery
Reviews
breath-taking
Lizée’s score is a revelation. It uses off-beat rhythms and glitchy synthesizers to create a robotic soundscape that is at once beautiful and terrifying — just like A.I. itself.
Il’ya tous les ingredients de l’opera avec ses grands drames, passion qui se dechaines, tous ca dans un univers mental entre Frankenstein e les cycles des robots de Isaac Asimov / It has all the ingredients of opera with great drama, unleashed passion, all this in a mental universe between Frankenstein and the robot cycles of Isaac Asimov
a musically brilliant and thought provoking theatre piece
a visually and aurally compelling production that successfully marries opera and automation, and encourages us to look into the eyes of our creations to try to find the best in ourselves
Media & Photos
Creators

Nicole Lizée
Composer
Nicolas Billon
Librettist
Michael Hidetoshi Mori
DirectorCast

Krisztina Szabó
Helena
Peter Barrett
Dom
Scott Belluz
[Alex]
Danielle Buonaiuto
[Helena]
Micah Schroeder
[Quinn]
Alex Hetherington
[Riley]
Maeve Palmer
Soprano
Annie Ramos
Soprano
Jennifer Routhier
Mezzo-Soprano
Sofi Gudiño
Dancer
Katherine Semchuk
Dancer
Emily Spearing
Dancer
Brayden Jamil Cairns
DancerCreative Team

Gregory Oh
Music Director
Jaime Martino
Choreographer
Cameron Anderson
Set Designer
Joanna Yu
Costume Designer
Michelle Ramsay
Lighting Designer
Debashis Sinha
Sound Designer
Cameron Davis
Projection Designer
Keith Klassen
Assistant Director
Rodney Diverlus
Associate Choreographer
Julia Cosentino
Assistant Choreographer
Juliane Gallant
Women in Musical Leadership Assistant Conductor
Kate Hartman
Wearable Technology Designer, Social Body Lab at OCAD University
Nick Puckett
Wearable Technology Designer, Social Body Lab at OCAD University
Adam Tindale
Wearable Technology Designer, Social Body Lab at OCAD University- Caroline Hollway: Producer
- Adrien Whan: Technical Director
- Ryan Wilson: Technical Manager (Set, props stage)
- Alessia Urbani: Head of Wardrobe
- Alannah Dzijacky: Props Coordinator
- Camille Rogers: Surtitlist
- Dustyn Wales: Stage Manager (February ‘22 Workshop & World Premiere)
- Daniel Oulton: Stage Manager (December ‘21 Workshop)
- Jordan Guetter: Assistant Stage Manager
- Conner Bustamante: Apprentice Stage Manager
- Alex Gilbert : Running Wardrobe
Musicians

Gregory Harrison
Percussionist
Ryan Scott
Percussionist
Ben Reimer
Percussionist
Daniel Morphy
Percussionist
Bryan Holt
Cellist
Amahl Arulanandam
Cellist
Vivienne Wilder
Bassist