Missy Mazzoli's Opera 'The Galloping Cure' Tackles Opioid Crisis with Dark Humor
In 2026, 'The Galloping Cure,' a new opera by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, will debut at the Edinburgh Festival. This work, commissioned by John Berry's organization Opera Ventures, tackles the opioid epidemic through a storyline influenced by Kafka and Karen Russell. The narrative centers on Lucky Mack, a hawker at a fairground, whose addictive attraction enchants a despondent community. Mazzoli and Vavrek strive to make opera engaging, challenging its traditional image of dullness. Directed by Tom Morris, the production showcases designer Rebecca Ringst's galloping horses, along with singing sheep and two dogs. The opera also examines the Sackler family's involvement in promoting OxyContin, probing economic frameworks without vilifying them. In Glasgow, rehearsals focused on act two, with soprano Susan Bullock refining the character of Iwona Kowalski.
Key facts
- The Galloping Cure is a new opera by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek.
- The opera is about the opioid crisis and is inspired by Kafka's 'A Country Doctor'.
- Karen Russell wrote a story that served as a provocation for the opera.
- The opera features a fairground hawker named Lucky Mack and a ride that becomes addictive.
- The production includes singing sheep and two domesticated dogs.
- The opera is commissioned by John Berry's charity Opera Ventures.
- The world premiere is scheduled for the Edinburgh Festival in 2026.
- The opera is directed by Tom Morris, with design by Rebecca Ringst.
Entities
Artists
- Missy Mazzoli
- Royce Vavrek
- Karen Russell
- Tom Morris
- Rebecca Ringst
- Susan Bullock
- Justin Austin
- John Berry
- Mark-Anthony Turnage
- Richard Thomas
- Patrick Radden Keefe
- Arthur Sackler
Institutions
- Scottish Opera
- Opera Ventures
- Metropolitan Opera
- Edinburgh Festival
Locations
- Gloucestershire
- Hawkwood House
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh