Opera Philadelphia is set to present Gregory Spears’ latest work “Sleepers Awake.”

Premiering April 22-26 at the Academy of Music, Spears creates a labyrinthine soundscape to accompany a dream-like rendering of the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty,” inspired by modernist Swiss writer Robert Walser.

The story follows The Stranger, who wakes Thorn Rose and her companions from a century-long sleep. But instead of gratitude, they express annoyance. Thorn Rose and The Court Poet recount the tale of the curse that doomed them to slumber, yet they remain unable to cross fully into wakefulness, repeatedly slipping back into sleep.

This marks the first Opera Philadelphia commission for Spears and it will be conducted by Corrado Rovaris and Jenny Koons will direct.

The work will star Jonghyun Park, Susanne Burgess, and Brian Major

Read Related Stories 

• Opera Philadelphia Extends Anthony Roth Costanzo & Corrado Rovaris’ Contracts