The Last Machine Breaker
The centrepiece of the festival is a world premiere of ‘The Last Machine Breaker’. This live digital hybrid piece parallels the story of the Luddite revolt to the AI revolution now. The same two singers perform as George Mellor and his lover Mary on screen, and as AI humanoid, Adam, and his inventor Eva, live on stage. With echoes of Frankenstein, ‘The Last Machine Breaker’ asks whether we can harness the power of AI for the greater good. Or will our invention destroy us?
Composition
Ben Crick
Libretto
Kamal Kaan
Director
Alex Chisholm
A Luddite Prophecy
A Luddite Prophecy is a dynamic new opera that unfolds across two distinct timelines, examining the profound impact of technology on our lives. Set against the dramatic backdrop of 1813, on the eve of George Mellor’s execution for leading the Luddite uprising, and the tech-savvy landscape of 2030, this 10-minute excerpt ignites a provocative conversation between an anti-AI activist and Artificial Intelligence, challenging us to reflect on the choices we make in an increasingly digital world.
Composition
Ben Crick
Director
Alex Chisholm
The Barber of Seville
Bradford Opera Festival, Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and Bradford Choral Society join forces to present Rossini’s comic masterpiece in concert form. Ian McMillan (BBC3 The Verb) adapts this tale of class, marriage, mischief, and young love into a sparkling Yorkshire version, made especially for Bradford.
Adaptation
Ian McMillan
Conductor
Ben Crick
Director
Alex Chisholm
Composition
Ben Crick
Libretto
Kamal Kaan
Director
Alex Chisholm