See the highly anticipated WORLD PREMIERE of a new opera, commissioned by Opera Birmingham, about the life of Helen Keller, celebrated 20th century deaf and blind author and activist, and Anne Sullivan Macy, her confidant and friend.

The opera TOUCH picks up where the play The Miracle Worker ends, exploring the complicated relationship between Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan Macy, John Macy (Anne’s husband), and Peter Fagan (Helen’s interpreter and star-crossed lover). A world-renowned humanitarian, Helen Keller fiercely advocated for women’s suffrage, civil rights, and disability rights. Helen’s monumental achievements over 80 years shed light on society’s darkest disabilities. She saw the need for a balanced world, heard the cry of the oppressed, and spoke for them. Helen’s passion was equally present in her personal life. TOUCH tenderly captures the humanity of her life, characteristics often overlooked in such an iconic figure.

This two-act chamber opera features three principal singing roles (Anne Sullivan Macy, John Macy, and Peter Fagan). An actor plays the role of Helen Keller, and there is an ensemble of six singers, representing Helen’s voice and doubling in secondary roles. The score is orchestrated for seven players: flute, bassoon, percussion, prepared piano, and string trio. Birmingham’s own Alie B. Gorrie will perform the role of Helen Keller, and Michelle Allie Drever will sing the role of Anne Sullivan Macy. The production will feature the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

TOUCH addresses themes of disability and agency. The opera represents Opera Birmingham’s commitment to telling diverse stories of our community and providing access to a wide range of artists and patrons. This production has been developed to include low-vision and low-hearing artists in all facets of the opera. Opera Birmingham works to ensure accessibility for audience members, from ASL interpreters at performances and Braille program notes to assisted listening devices and audio description services. For a full list of accessibility services, click here.

Sung in English with projected English text. Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL). Audio descriptions will be available. Braille and large print programs are available by request at entry. The length of the opera is approximately 90 minutes.

Content Notes: TOUCH contains adult situations.

TOUCH opens as Helen Keller prepares to graduate from Radcliffe College in 1904, with teacher and mentor, Anne Sullivan, by her side. We experience the extraordinary and codependent connection between these two strong women, as they navigate through a shared triumph, not without challenges. A flashback shows the struggle Helen’s parents went through before Anne Sullivan came into Helen’s life. As Helen becomes a celebrated writer, the relationship between her and Anne is stressed when Anne marries the drunken and philandering John Macy.

As the marriage inevitably unravels, Helen discovers her calling as an anti-war and women’s suffrage activist, while an emotionally drained Anne becomes ill. Peter Fagan, a young interpreter, is hired to fill in while Anne recovers. A passionate love affair blossoms between Helen and Peter. The romance is doomed, as the Keller family and Anne plot to end it without Helen’s knowledge, leaving her with the impression that Peter has abandoned her. Helen is devastated and only finds strength in being extraordinarily productive as a celebrity advocate for her humanitarian causes. She pushes Anne at a fever pitch until Anne succumbs to her illness and must stop. The opera ends with the two women together as Anne gives her dying confession, that she took part in sabotaging the relationship with Peter. Helen, feeling the sharp pains of love lost all over again, chooses to forgive before her teacher and lifetime companion takes her last breath.

Accessibility Services

Opera Birmingham’s commission of TOUCH was generously supported by UAB Callahan Eye Hospital & Clinic and UAB Medicine, with additional support from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Composers program supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Elsas, and Martin Jeiven. The production is funded, in part, by the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.

For a full list of commissioning and production supporters, please click here.