The LA Opera Off Grand is set to showcase the West Coast premiere of “the loser” by composer / librettist David Lang on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. There will be an addition performance of the work on Feb. 23 at the Theater at Ace Hotel.

The performance will star baritone Rod Glifry in a work that showcases two young but excellent pianists who attend the same masterclass with a young Glenn Gould. When they realize that they will never be as good as Gould, their lives are changed forever. The opera lasts about an hour in length.

The work is a one-man opera that features piano soloist and chamber ensemble. It was praised after its world premiere in 2016 at the Next Wave Festival with the New York Times noting that it was “boldy unconventional.”

The work will be conducted by Lesley Leighton with Lang serving as the stage director. Jennifer Tipton will be the lighting designer, Jim Findlay will set design, and Suzanne Bocanegra will be the costume designer. Andrew Cotton will act as sound engineer.