Opera 'Sun & Sea' Reflects Climate Crisis Through Aging Performers and Touring Installations

The opera 'Sun & Sea,' created by Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Lina Lapelytė, delves into human issues amid environmental disaster. Initially showcased at the Lithuanian Pavilion during the 2019 Venice Biennale, it features approximately 20 performers on a synthetic beach, partaking in everyday tasks while occasionally singing. Among the characters are a frazzled father, an affluent mother, young lovers, a widow, and a philosophy student. After touring Europe, the opera will be performed in the U.S. for the rest of the year. A recent revival in Athens allowed for audience movement, echoing the original Venice experience. The piece emphasizes how daily life can overshadow awareness of the climate crisis, touching on themes of personal loss and environmental sorrow.