The Prototype Festival and America Opera Projects will present the world premiere of “The Echo Drift.”

“The Echo Drift” tells the story of convicted murderer Walker Loats who is trapped in a timeless prison and is unexpectedly befriended by a moth with an offer of a perceived way to freedom. The opera will feature a live chamber ensemble, electronics, and a six-channel surround sound system that is set to explore the freewheeling nature of the mind when it is robbed of external stimuli.

The work marks the first creative collaboration between designer Elle Kunnos de Voss and composer Mikael Karlsson and will feature mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert and vocalist and performance artist John Kelly. They will be joined by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) and conducted by Nicholas DeMaison.

The opera will be presented on Jan 10, 12 – 13, 18 – 20, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Cente and is a co-production with Beth Morrison Projects and HERE. The Prototype Festival runs from Jan 7 to the 20.