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New Wave Opera to perform West Coast Premieres of operas about perceptions & experiences of historical women.  August 4, 2025 – Portland, OR: New Wave Opera (NWO) presents Atoms & Artifacts, an exploration of the perceptions & experiences of historical women. This production features the west coast premieres of two 60-minute operas: Marie Curie Learns to Swim, complete with chamber ensemble, by Jessica Rudman & Kendra Preston Leonard and Alice Tierney by Melissa Dunphy & Jacqueline Goldfinger. In Marie Curie Learns to Swim, famous scientist Madame Curie and her daughter and research partner, Irène, take a vacation to the sea. Irène longs for rest, internally struggling with her fears about the radium they are using in their research, while Marie feels the urgency to return to her lab and continue her groundbreaking scientific discoveries. New Wave Opera is proud to perform Marie Curie Learns to Swim in its complete orchestration with chamber ensemble, conducted by Dr. Stephen Lewis! “As the music director, being in charge of the flow of the opera's performance is electric,” shares Lewis. “I’m not just following my own musical vision, but realizing the combined intentions of everyone involved.” “If you can name one female scientist, it’s probably Marie Curie,” adds New Wave Opera President Lisa Neher. “Her achievements are legendary—but who was she as a person? How did she pursue research when women were barred from science, and what did that persistence cost her?” In Alice Tierney, a team of archeology graduate students excavate the home of 1800's murder victim Alice Tierney. With little evidence to go on, each posits their own theory about who Alice was, and through the magic of opera, their versions of Alice come to life on the stage. But who was the real Alice? How do we sort out fact from fiction? How do our own experiences color the narratives we impose on history? “Melissa Dunphy uses her creative voice in deeply personal and powerful ways,” shares stage director Brandon Michael. “She is an important figure in the future of the operatic art form, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring this piece to our Portland audiences.” “Audiences will love Alice Tierney’s grad student characters—their casual speech and real struggles with dissertations, job searches, leaving home, and endearingly messy relationships,” says New Wave Opera Vice President Lindsey Rae Johnson. Atoms & Artifacts will be performed in English with supertitles. Sunday’s performance will have ASL interpretation, thanks to generous support from RACC. Atoms & Artifacts is generously supported by the University of Portland, Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC), the Oregon Cultural Trust (OCT), the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, and the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. To learn more about this show and more from the upcoming season, visit NEWWAVEOPERA.ORG. Event SummaryWHAT: Atoms & Artifacts WHEN: Friday, September 19, 7:30 pm, Saturday, September 20, 7:30 pm, & Sunday, September 21, 2:00 pm (Includes ASL Interpretation WHERE: Mago Hunt Recital Hall | University of Portland, 5000 N Willamette Blvd | Portland, OR | 97203 TICKETS: newwaveopera.org/atomsartifacts COST: $40 General Admission, $20 Seniors/Veterans/Artists, $15 Students, $5 Arts for All, Free Admission for University of Portland Students/Faculty/Staff with ID RUN TIME: Approx. 2 hrs 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission AGES: Recommended for audiences 13 and up. Content includes short comedic profanity and brief mention of sex work For Media Inquiries, Contact Lisa Neher, President, New Wave Opera Atoms & Artifacts Cast & Creative Team
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