The groundbreaking robotic opera Death and the Powers, created by Society of Sound Fellow  and MIT Professor Tod Machover, premieres at the Opera Garnier in Monte Carlo on the 24,25 and 26 September 2010.

Machover, described by the LA Times as “America’s most wired composer,” is widely known for creating music that breaks traditional artistic and cultural boundaries as well as developing cutting-edge new technologies for music:

“With this opera what I wanted to do is use technology to make the audience feel closer to the performers”

The opera showcases the first-ever use of sonic animatronics such as robotic “Chandelier” which is both a beautiful object and a subtle resonant musical instrument. Bowers & Wilkins engineers worked closely with Todd at  MIT  providing consultancy on the acoustics of the set design.

This spectacularly innovative design has never been seen on stage before and could well launch a new era of opera production.

Tickets are still available for the 25th and 26th of September