Benjamin T. Rossen’s opera “The Unknowable: An Operatic Ballet in Two Acts” makes its world premiere at Lowell House Opera on Feb. 10 and 11.

“The Unknowable” aims to reinvent the opéra-ballet first popularized during the Baroque era. In addition to Rossen’s score, the opera features song cycles “Les nuits d’été” by Berlioz and “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen” by Mahler which embody the essence of the characters.

Former Oregon Ballet Theatre ballerina Emily Parker choreographs.

“Throughout history, ballet in opera has been treated as episodic and disjunct from the larger narrative – as a brief visual delight,” said Rossen in an official press statement. “The form of ‘operatic ballet’ found in ‘The Unknowable’ interweaves dancers and vocalists like never before. This story explores how artists can communicate and understand one another not only with words, but also with kinesics and haptics.”