(Photo credit: James Matthew Daniel)

Michael Hersch’s latest opera, “and we, each,” created in collaboration with poet Shane McCrae, makes its New York premiere at National Sawdust on Feb. 6.

Soprano Ah Young Hong and baritone Jesse Blumberg perform the two singing roles. Tito Muñoz will conduct a five-piece ensemble comprised of New York players. James Daniel, who previously staged Hersch’s opera “On the Threshold of Winter” and his cantata “Agatha,” will direct the multimedia production. Set designs are by Kevin Tuttle, based on sculptures by noted artist Christopher Cairns. This is mixed with photography curated by Tyler Davis, projections by David Adam Moore, and the choreography of LaTeisha Melvin and Orlando Johnson.

“and we, each” is an exploration of the treacherous territories of relationships – between individuals, within societies and ultimately, the collapse of both. The opera includes themes of destruction, transformation, and self-discovery emerge through fragmented narratives, inviting audiences to contemplate the enigmatic spaces between connection and oblivion.

The opera made its world premiere at the Baltimore Theater Project in Sept. and was produced by Mind on Fire. “and we, each” was has also been performed at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, earlier this year.