A House in Bali is a new dance-opera by composer Evan Ziporyn, with a libretto by Real Time Opera’s Paul Schick.

Featuring an all-star international cast of vocalists, dancers, and musicians, it traces the roots of the west’s century-long infatuation with Bali, through the true story of three westerners – composer Colin McPhee, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and artist Walter Spies – during their 1930s sojourn in Bali. This stunning, multi-media spectacle brings together the finest ensembles of east and west: a 15-piece Balinese gamelan directed by the dynamic Dewa Ketut Alit, the Bang on a Can All-Stars with guest violinist Todd Reynolds, Balinese choreography by the enchanting Kadek Dewi Aryani, wayang shadow puppets, and high-tech projections converge, pushing all boundaries of theatrical innovation.

A House in Bali features some of the finest operatic and Balinese voices working today: Anne Harley, Patrick Miller, Marc Molomot, as well as the legendary Desak Made Suarti Laksmi, Made Sedia, and – making his operatic debut – Nyoman Triyana Usadhi.

A House in Bali world premiere will be at the Water Palace Theater, Puri Saraswati in Ubud, Bali, June 26-27, 2009. The American premiere will be presented by Cal Performances in Berkeley, California, September 25-26, 2009.