Atoms & Artifacts

Join New Wave Opera for Atoms & Artifacts, an exploration of the perceptions & experiences of historical women. This production features the West Coast premieres of two operas: Marie Curie Learns to Swim by Jessica Rudman & Kendra Preston Leonard and Alice Tierney by Melissa Dunphy & Jacqueline Goldfinger. 

Dates: 

Friday, September 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM, includes pre-performance discussion panel at 6:30 PM

Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM, includes ASL interpretation

Marie Curie Learns to Swim: Famous scientist Madame Curie and her daughter and research partner ​Irène take a vacation to the sea. Irene longs for rest, internally struggling with her fears about the radium they are using in their research, while Marie feels the urgency to return to her lab and continue her groundbreaking scientific discoveries. New Wave Opera is proud to perform Marie Curie Learns to Swim in its complete orchestration with chamber ensemble.

Alice Tierney: A team of archeology graduate students excavate the home of 1800s murder victim Alice Tierney. With little evidence to go on, each posits their own theory about who Alice was, and through the magic of opera, their versions of Alice come to life on the stage. But who was the real Alice? How do we sort out fact from fiction? How do our own experiences color the narratives we impose on history?

Run time: 2 hrs 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

Performed in English with supertitles. The 9/21 performance will include ASL interpretation. Recommended for audiences 13 and up. Content includes short comedic profanity and brief mention of sex work.

New Wave Opera and Atoms & Artifacts are generously supported by the University of Portland, Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC), and Oregon Cultural Trust (OCT).

You may also like the following events from New Wave Opera:

• This month, 20th September, 07:30 pm, Atoms & Artifacts in Portland
• This month, 21st September, 02:00 pm, Atoms & Artifacts in Portland